December 2015 Nighthawk News Magazine

WHAT’S INSIDE 4 – Teacher’s words offer hope, inspiration 6 – Rachel’s Challenge and Empty Bowls projects give students chances to focus on the positive 8 – Home for the holidays, or hit the road?

10 – Christmas, New Year’s celebrations offer fun ... and danger?

13 – Chorus teacher goes out on a high note 15 – Artistic junior Colton Shuler draws inspiration from multiple sources 16 – ‘The Force Awakens’ for OBX Star Wars fans 18 – Can students find deeper meaning in November death of middle-schooler Bri Blumenthal?

19 – New grading scale leads to decreased motivation 20 – About those red cups ... Words of wisdom from a Starbucks barista 21 – Sarah Mandis sacrifices for swimming success 22 – Farley Wickre signs scholarship package to ride horses at South Carolina

Traditions begin with us.

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Photo by Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News First Flight students spent part of the holiday season giving back to the community and the world. Sophomore Danielle Evers (left) and senior Sara Munson were part of an FCA club that packed shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

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ighthawk News Magazine will be published four times this year by the journalism classes at First Flight High School. The publication is distributed free to the FFHS student body, faculty and staff and to First Flight Middle.

Approximately 4,000 copies are inserted in the Outer Banks Sentinel, while another 1,000 will be distributed in various retail outlets on the Outer Banks.

The Nighthawk News staff strives to provide informative and accurate coverage of individuals and events within the school and the Dare County community. The opinion pages serve as a forum for the publications staff and community. Views expressed in Nighthawk News do not represent the opinions of the faculty or administration, the Dare County School Board or its administration.

Editorials represent the views of the staff, while bylined columns are the opinion of the authors.

Readers are encouraged to write letters to the editor on matters of concern. Letters may be mailed to FFHS or delivered to Room B-214.

They must be signed. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, grammatical errors or libelous content.

You can reach the Nighthawk News staff by mail at 100 Veterans Drive, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. 27948, by phone at (252) 449-7000 ext.

2437 or by e-mail at hanfst@daretolearn.org. Advertising inquiries can be made by phone or email.

Nighthawk News is a member of North Carolina Scholastic Media and the Columbia Scholastic, National Scholastic, and Southern Interscholastic press associations.

Our stories also are published online at NighthawkNews.org.

Follow us on Twitter @FFNighthawkNews, Facebook.com/NighthawkNews and Instagram @FFHSNighthawkNews.

Target Printing and Distribution of the Fayetteville Observer prints our publication.

NIGHTHAWK NEWS STAFF Kristina Carter Co-Editor-In-Chief

Mary Pat Thompson Co-Editor-In-Chief

Nina Holly Business Manager

Steve Hanf Adviser

Byrde Wells Sports Editor

Dea Celaj Photo Editor

Mack Doebler Staff Writer

Suzanne Harrison Staff Writer

Arabella Saunders Staff Writer

Beverly Murry Staff Writer winter / / 2015

ON THE COVER

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reparing for this issue, we faced a challenge: How could we create a holiday-centric news magazine with a shelf life that runs through March? By balancing festive Christmas stories with interesting features about our students and staff, we feel as though that task has been accomplished.

Our cover story this issue revolves around the past few years of science teacher Stephanie Motz’s life. After being diagnosed with Neurocytoma, a type of brain cancer, Motz’s world was turned upside down. Her story is eye-opening and inspiring.

For the cover shoot, photo editor Dea Celaj made her way to Pamlico Jack’s in Nags Head for a Breakfast with Santa event with the Motz family. “I went to Pamlico Jack’s to take their pictures, only to find out that I had forgotten my camera in my car,” Celaj said.

“When I told the woman at the front desk that I was here to take photos, she gave me the most confused look.”

After that, the day was filled with smiles for Mom, Dad, and the children, who had the chance to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Celaj’s photos paved the way for a cover designed by junior Kristina Carter and senior Farley Wickre.

This was not the only Christmas event we covered in this issue. Operation Christmas Child, as well as the Empty Bowls fundraiser, have become traditions for First Flight students.

Another tradition many students enjoy is an annual visit to the Poulos house, which is famous for its beautiful Christmas decorations. Jim Poulos welcomed two of our reporters into his home for a personal tour.

None of these stories would have been possible without the help of our amazing newspaper staff. We are not only proud of those currently in the class, but of the many freshmen now enrolled in Intro to Publications who stepped up to write stories for this issue. We can’t wait for you all to be on staff. To advertisers and community members reading this edition, thank you!

We have a multitude of talented students here at First Flight, and we hope you enjoy meeting a few of them in this issue.

– From The Editors

It’s not too late to join the First Flight PTSO! The Nighthawks PTSO works hard for our school!

Join today! Forms available in the Media Center and Main Office. Contact McFarlaneSu@daretolearn.org for info.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / table of contents

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Photo by Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News Stephanie Motz enjoys a moment with husband Chad and sons Joseph (left) and William during a Breakfast with Santa event at Pamlico Jack’s in December.

Motz making the most of every day

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By Mary Pat Thompson Co-Editor-in-Chief

tephanie Motz was lacing her shoes, getting ready to go rock climbing, when the words came to her. Not wanting to forget, she pulled out her iPhone and typed a narrative into her Notes app: “Why should a little cancer here and there change what makes us happy?” Motz wrote. “It doesn’t. It won’t. As long as I’m able to do the things I enjoy.”

Powerful and heart-wrenching, the message came from years of hardship and suffering that now are used for inspiration and motivation.

NOV. 4, 2011

“That was a day to remember. That day marked a different life for me,” Motz said.

The science teacher’s life may have been forever changed that dreadful day, but her story really began a few months earlier.

“I was having a lot of headaches. Every single day I was getting a headache, and I had a little spot around my bottom lip that was going numb.

I had some cavities filled that summer – I thought maybe the dentist hit some type of nerve,” Motz recalled. “I was having all these weird, painful

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symptoms, but when I went to the doctor, I didn’t have an ear infection, there was nothing wrong with my teeth, the likelihood of any dentist ever hitting a nerve that was causing the facial numbness is really unlikely.”

After a long process of elimination, Motz’s doctor finally ordered an MRI in September.

“They found a tumor – a big tumor – pressing on my brain stem. It was behind my left ear,” Motz said. “It got to the point where it was too big to be radiated, (so) they needed to go in and surgically remove it.”

It turned out to be Neurocytoma, a rare form of cancer that consists of fluid-filled spaces found within the ventricles in the brain, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s website.

Just 30 years old, Motz went in for her surgery on Nov. 4, 2011. The procedure lasted all day, some 10 to 12 hours in the operating room. Motz regards this early November day as the anniversary of when her life changed forever.

“When I finally woke up I could barely see, I could barely talk, I mean it was crazy. I’m so glad it was the first surgery, because it prepared me for everything after,” Motz said.

The surgery had removed most of the tumor, but Motz was told she had to go through radi-

ation in order to remove the rest of it. Those treatments took place in January and February at the Outer Banks Cancer Center.

“After that, I started to recover. That first surgery really, really turned me upside down. It was wild,” Motz said. “There were a lot of side effects from it. I still don’t have any feeling on the left side of my face. I can move it, but I can’t feel it.”

By 2012, Motz had been through so much more than the average person ever has to deal with. She was ready to start the road to recovery.

THAT WAS ALL, MOMENTARILY

Motz came back to teaching during the 20122013 school year. She had taken a year off due to not being in proper physical and mental condition, and missed it unbelievably. Although she was ecstatic to be back in the classroom, it was still a difficult adjustment.

“I think it was a little too early,” Motz said. “I still wasn’t well enough, but I wanted to come back so badly I just did. And luckily I got through it.”

After all of her previous struggles, Motz was ready for some good news.

“December of 2013, my husband and I decided that we were going to try to have kids,” Motz said.

By the beginning of 2014, Motz was pregnant, winter / / 2015

and for about six months life was fine and dandy. Everything changed during what was supposed to be a regular doctor’s appointment in July.

Her blood pressure was through the roof – so she was shipped to the hospital and put on bed rest.

Motz ended up delivering her two baby boys on July 20, 2014, three months before their original due date. During her pregnancy, Motz’s doctors did not run a single scan for cancer to ensure the babies’ safety. As soon as they had been delivered, a scan delivered unsettling news.

“There were four new tumors that popped up in my brain. And this was with newborn babies. Premature, just-got-out-of-the-hospital babies,” Motz said. “So I went to Duke and I had surgery in November of 2014, exactly three years later from my first one. They removed the cluster of three in the back, and then I had what is called radiosurgery on the one on the frontal lobe.”

A week after the surgery, Motz came home – finally – to raise her babies in peace.

“Going home after being in the hospital for a long time felt good,” Motz said. “I mean, it was really scary because I didn’t know how to take care of babies at the time. I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I don’t have any nurses helping me?’

“It definitely took the focus off of me for a while. It had always been me recovering, or making sure I had clear scans, but all the focus went elsewhere and it was kinda nice.”

ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER

Because of all the things she has been through, Motz knows to report any strange or irregular discomfort she feels. So in March, when Motz was experiencing pain pressing specifically on her tailbone, she knew to inform her doctor as soon as possible. They had her in for a scan immediately.

It uncovered six new tumors on her spine.

“All of April and May of 2015, I lived in Durham and I had radiation from the top of my spine all the way to the bottom. It was every day for six-and-a-half weeks,” Motz said. “It was like a torture chamber, I swear to God. It was awful. They made a mold around me, and I was locked into the table. And then they had a mask on me that was molded, too. Then I would go inside this machine where I couldn’t move.”

As soon as the radiation was over, Motz came back to the Outer Banks.

She was ready for a normal life. Ready to not be in and out of the hospital every day. Ready to go back to work.

“When you’re at home and you have nothing to do because you’re sick, you want nothing more than to go back to work and do something productive,” Motz said. “There were so many days I couldn’t do anything, that now that I can, I’m gonna optimize my time.”

APRIL 10, 2015

Motz is living in Durham – a week into treatment for the six tumors found on her spine. Instead of just sitting around, she is about to go rock climbing. The narrative came. She wrote the words for her, not knowing that by expressing her feelings that night, many others might be impacted. Why let a little adversity change what makes any of us happy? “ ‘Sick,’ by definition, means ‘afflicted with ill health or disease; ailing.’

However, this simple word can be perceived in many different ways. There is mental sickness, emotional sickness and, of course, physical sickness. It is a small word with a wide variety of meanings.

I fall quite nicely into this category of ‘sick’ even though I may not look the stereotypical part. I am not weak, vomiting, or lying in pain. I go about my day normally, taking care of our babies, exercising, paying the bills, cleaning, enjoying shopping and eating good food. My kind of ‘sick’ is internal and unseen, controlled with surgeries, radiation, and, in some cases, medicine. Of course, I have some pain, but most of the time it is manageable.

Why am I explaining all of this? If you know me and my husband at all you know that we do not rest on our laurels. We move...we run, Crossfit, bike, climb, swim, hike, etc. Planning adventures and activities keeps our relationship strong and our bodies fit – both physically and mentally. Why should a little cancer here and there change what makes us happy?

It doesn’t. It won’t. As long as I am able I will continue to do the things I enjoy. I know my body and my abilities. I know when to push myself and when to rest. I will not hold back. I will not wait until things ‘get better.’ Only the good Lord knows how long I have left on this green Earth. I will not waste a single second.”

Junior Mary Pat Thompson can be reached at thompsonma1001@ daretolearn.org.

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Photo By Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News About 100 students listen to a special presentation about the Friends of Rachel Club following the Rachel’s Challenge event at First Flight in November. ‘I really enjoyed figuring out ways to help students and make the school a better environment to be in,’ said junior Ian Corbett, one of the leaders of the FOR Club.

Rachel’s Challenge extended to Nighthawks

By Taylor Farmer Special to Nighthawk News

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pril 20, 1999: a date that many will never forget.

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold committed one of the worst school shootings in U.S. history at Columbine High School near Denver. They had planned the day for months and filled journals with ideas to make it all happen.

One of their 13 victims was a girl named Rachel Joy Scott.

She kept journals detailing her dreams to start a chain reaction of kindness in hopes that she would change the world.

“I have this theory that if one person can go out of their way to show compassion, then it will start a chain reaction of the same,” Scott wrote in an essay for school entitled “My Ethics, My Codes of Life.”

In the weeks following Scott’s death, her family found more of

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her inspirational writings and decided to make her dream a reality.

The Rachel’s Challenge organization was formed in the hopes of starting a chain reaction of kindness internationally.

Nov. 17, 2015: Speaker Colleen Kirk brings Rachel’s Challenge to First Flight Students. A date students will not soon forget.

“While she was talking, I saw a lot of people got down and really understood what she was saying,” sophomore Cierra Haley said. “And then afterward, I think people really took into consideration about what was said and realized that, ‘Oh, God, this is a big deal,’ and that things should change.”

In two assemblies held in the auditorium, Kirk shared background information about the shooting, talked of Scott’s writings, and shared stories of how students around the world have been impacted by Rachel’s Challenge and

the Friends of Rachel clubs that have been formed in schools.

“I think it impacted the school positively because I feel like a lot of people responded to the FOR club sign-up,” junior Morgan Crank said.

The FOR Club is a group of students dedicated to making a positive impact at First Flight by showing kindness, compassion and respect while reaching out and helping students. The club plans to start projects such as a paper chain link with words of kindness on it that will decorate the rotunda.

Club members already have discussed some of the issues impacting First Flight and plan on changing them for the better, such as rumors, cliques, negativity, disrespect, bullying, cyber-bullying and sarcasm or jokes regarding sexuality and race.

“The FOR Club is a great way to continue Rachel’s Challenge and

keep the chain reaction going,” sophomore Mattie Huband said.

As a result of Rachel’s Challenge, math teacher Christian Lowe has started his own chain reaction.

Lowe gave his students a Random Acts of Kindness Challenge. Every day, students are encouraged to show kindness toward everyone.

As Rachel’s Challenge taught the First Flight community, you never know what kind of day someone is having, and just a simple act of kindness could change everything: “How do know that trust, compassion and beauty will not make this world a better place?” Scott wrote. “You’ll never know how far a little kindness can go.”

How far will First Flight’s chain reaction go?

Freshman Taylor Farmer wrote this story for her Intro to Publications project. She can be reached at farmerta0323@daretolearn.org.

winter / / 2015

Empty Bowls to fill First Flight in February

By Kristina Carter Co-Editor-in-Chief

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ith the holidays approaching, the opportunities to give back to the community are steadily increasing. One way First Flight is participating is through the Empty Bowls charity event, which the school has participated in since 2006.

Art workshops were held in November and December for people to make ceramic bowls and then glaze them. Students, local artists and members of the community came to these workshops and made about 100 bowls.

“I didn’t really have anything else to do after school,” junior Bailey Coleman said.

“And after-school art projects are really fun.”

Freshman Taina Santana attended both sessions to make bowls and both sessions for glazing the pottery.

“I did it because I love art in any form and I thought it would be a great thing to do to benefit the community, and a fun thing to do with my family and friends,” Santana said. “It was one of the best days I’ve had all year, for sure, and I will definitely be doing it again.”

The workshops were just the first parts of this event. On Thursday, Feb. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m., all are welcome to come to the

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

First Flight High School cafeteria for the Empty Bowls fundraiser. The $10 entrance fee will allow guests to select one of the handmade bowls and enjoy a meal of soup, bread and drinks. The soup will be donated by local restaurants. Live music will be played by FFHS students, and there will also be a silent auction held. This auction will have items donated from local businesses as well as handmade pieces from local artists.

All money raised during this fundraiser will be donated to the local food banks.

Guests are encouraged to keep the bowls they purchase during this event to serve as a reminder for all of the empty bowls in the world.

Any community members who made bowls can pick them up at the school and purchase advance tickets on Monday and Tuesday (Feb. 22-23) from 3:30 to 4:30.

“When the time comes, we are going to need a lot of people to help,” art teacher Jenna Saunders said. “We need anyone who can volunteer their time to help with setup and cleanup and getting everything organized for the event.”

Anyone interested in helping can contact Saunders at saundersje@daretolearn. org.

Junior Kristina Carter can be reached at carterkr0206@daretolearn.org.

Photo By Taina Santana/Special to Nighthawk News Senior art student Bailey Coleman shows her artistic skills during one of the first workshops for the Empty Bowls event.

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No place like home for the holidays?

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By Arabella Saunders Staff Writer

or some, winter break is a time of tradition: holiday meals, family visits, decorating the Christmas tree. Though each tradition helps make the holidays special, some students are extra thankful for Christmas vacations.

Sophomore Kira Foster spends her winter break in Marathon, Florida, visiting her grandparents. Her typical day includes snorkeling, spearfishing, tubing, wake surfing and tanning. Even though her holiday break may not seem typical, the Fosters still find time to celebrate special family customs.

“Christmas Day we gather in my nana’s dining room and we open all of our presents,” Foster said.

“Then we eat Eggs Benedict and my nana’s famous potato casserole with crunchy cornflakes on top for breakfast. It’s really nice.”

Foster acknowledges that being away from home for the holidays has its flaws, but overall, she would rather be in Florida for Christmas.

“They have stuff down there that we don’t have: Snorkeling is always something I look forward to,” Foster said. “It’s just exciting to go somewhere warm.”

Similar to Foster, Jocelyn Ratti’s family has planned a tropical vacation to the Caribbean island of Antigua.

The junior has never been away from home for the holidays, but she is looking forward to the change.

“I’ve never been out of the country and I’ve always been home on Christmas Day, so it’s a nice change,” Ratti said. “And I don’t like the cold very much. I’d rather be on the warm beaches.”

Ratti’s vacation will consist of lounging on the beach, visiting neighboring islands and swimming with stingrays. Her family is also looking into ways to balance a tropical vacation with Christmas traditions.

“My mom is debating whether or not to get a tree because we feel like it’s a waste,” Ratti said. “I feel like it’s not gonna feel like Christmas, but I can live with that.”

While escaping the cold is ideal for Foster and Ratti, some students are taking a different approach and traveling somewhere where temperatures can drop below freezing.

An avid snowboarder, sophomore Dane Buckhout is beyond thrilled to be traveling to Breckenridge, Colorado, for winter break this year. Buckhout first learned to snowboard when he was 6 years old and has loved it ever since.

“I don’t think I’d like just being here for Christmas break,” Buckhout said. “I love snowboarding. It’s my passion, so it’s a plus to be able to snowboard and celebrate Christmas at the same time.”

Buckhout described Breckenridge as “decked out” for the holidays. With snow-covered grounds, Christmas lights strung across buildings and woven in between trees, and a large Christmas tree in the middle of town, Breckenridge celebrates “White Christmas” in ways the Outer Banks can’t.

“It will feel more like Christmas than the Outer Banks by far,” Buckhout said. “I’m not gonna lie, I would rather be in Breckenridge for Christmas.”

Sophomore Mattie Huband will also be spending the holidays with a Winter Wonderland mindset in New York. She is staying with her grandparents in Long Island and is looking forward to spending quality time with her cousin.

“I feel grateful to have the opportunity to go on

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Submitted Photo Sophomore Kira Foster and her dad, Scott, enjoy a light-hearted moment in the warm Florida sun during a Christmas trip last year. vacation and see family at the same time,” Huband said. “I like the snow, and in New York it usually snows during Christmas.”

Family visits will also take sophomore Christopher Henderson away from the beach. Henderson will be road-tripping through Indiana, Virginia and West Virginia while visiting family along the way. He is most excited to see his grandmother, whom he hasn’t seen in more than seven years, and to attend Liberty University’s Winterfest, a two-day festival which includes performances from contemporary Christian music artists and other events such as snowboarding, ice-skating and rock climbing.

The only thing Henderson isn’t looking forward to is his departure. He leaves on Christmas Eve and will be driving most of Christmas Day. “I don’t want to spend Christmas on the road,” Henderson said. “But, it’ll be fun to see different places that I’ve never seen before.”

Not everyone likes spending the holidays away from home. Sophomore Leslie Jennings has never been on Christmas vacation and doesn’t intend on traveling this year, either.

“I love staying home because it gives me more of a Christmas feeling,” Jennings said. “I feel like if I went somewhere else it wouldn’t feel the same. It just feels more like real Christmas.”

Tradition is important to Jennings. Her family has unique holiday traditions that she looks forward to each year. These traditions also help bring her family closer together – kind of.

“Christmas Eve, me and my sister bond. We usually don’t do that,” Jennings said. “We make cookies: Well, actually I make them, and she kinda watches me as I make them.”

Though she prefers a conventional Christmas, Jennings wouldn’t mind going on vacation during winter break, as long as it doesn’t become routine.

“I definitely would want to go at least once,” Jennings said. “Not like a tradition every year, but I don’t really travel a lot and I want to.”

Sophomore Arabella Saunders can be reached at saundersar0214@daretolearn.org. winter / / 2015

Photo Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News Senior Brealle White (right) pulls out donated school supplies with senior Casey Buchanan before working with Fellowship of Christian Athletes club members to send shoe boxes full of gifts to students around the world.

Christmas season a time for giving

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By Suzanne Harrison Staff Writer

ifts don’t always come with bows on top or in vibrant Christmas stockings.

For some, they come in shoe boxes.

Operation Christmas Child is an effort started in 1990 by Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian humanitarian organization. Each November, thousands of churches and individual groups prepare shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies and other small gifts to be sent around the world.

Those shoe boxes filled with things as simple as a pair of socks can bring a child more happiness than you could imagine.

First Flight had its own Operation Christmas Child donation drive and was able to collect 37 boxes for children who wouldn’t otherwise receive gifts this Christmas.

Operation Christmas Child has collected around 124 million shoe boxes to send to NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

more than 150 countries, according to SamaritansPurse.org.

Senior Ryan Seal started working with the charity last year through Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“All Christians are called on to help the poor and needy because that is what this religion teaches us,” Seal said. “Hearing the stories from the kids: One girl wrote to us and said that before receiving a tooth brush from Operation Christmas Child, she had to share a toothbrush with 25 other kids. Hearing stories like that, you know you are bringing them closer to God.” Senior Brealle White’s church, Evangelical Methodist in Elizabeth City, was a dropoff center for the shoe boxes for Dare County and Elizabeth City. She feels it is important to give back, especially during the holiday season.

“This charity means a lot to me because we are helping make a difference in a child’s life,” White said. “We can finally take time out of our busy, privileged lives to give to children who

deserve gifts and need them more than we do.

I think the fact that we are helping beautiful, innocent children is the main factor that makes people want to volunteer and help.”

Freshman Chloe Futrell’s youth group at Outer Banks Presbyterian also helped pack some of the boxes that were sent overseas.

Drop-off days for Operation Christmas Child were Nov. 23-27. If you missed them, there are so many other charities on the Outer Banks to get involved with, including Food for Thought, Ruthie’s Kitchen, and Room at The Inn. A small amount of time invested in helping one of these charities can make a positive difference in so many people’s lives.

“At first, Operation Christmas Child was a little forced upon us, then it ended up being really fun,” Futrell said. “Just knowing that the kids got something this Christmas instead of not getting anything is a really good feeling.”

Sophomore Suzanne Harrison can be reached at harrisonsu0716@daretolearn.org.

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Happy (hazardous) holidays

By Summer Banning and Cassidy Joyce Special to Nighthawk News

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veryone’s heard of the accidents with Thanksgiving dinner or the occasional Christmas tree falling on someone’s little brother. A variety of First Flight students and staff have their own stories about holiday mishaps.

Some involve run-ins with Santa Claus.

“When I was a little kid, my parents had this hidden camera that they liked to place around the house,” junior Dylan Owens said. “They put it next to the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve one time and they caught me coming upstairs at four in the morning to look at what I had gotten from Santa Claus.”

Sophomore Haley Hartin can laugh now about when she discovered Santa on Christmas Eve, but she wasn’t too happy at the time. She heard a noise, decided to go see Santa for herself, and to her disappointment, found her parents.

“That’s the Christmas I found out Santa wasn’t real,” Hartin said.

Freshman Scout Landry has experienced something many others have: falling, or almost falling, on the Christmas tree. “Me and my friend were hanging up some ornaments and I was standing on the couch to put the star on the top and she pushed me, but then she caught me as I was about to fall on the tree,” Landry recalled.

Not all holiday disasters happen at Christmas.

Think about all the things that can go wrong on Thanksgiving. Math teacher Jennifer Kinnisten has had her fair share of trouble, along with a growing resentment for turkey.

“I was brought home from the hospital on Thanksgiving Day, so I’m what they would call a turkey baby,” she said. “I don’t like turkey because it’s always overshadowed my birthday.”

Kinnisten said that when everyone is focused on cooking, the thought of celebrating her birthday is forgotten.

“The turkey, the turkey, the turkey: make sure the turkey’s out, make sure the turkey’s getting to thaw, make sure the turkey gets in the oven in time... So I have this block against turkey,” Kinnisten said with a laugh. “It’s all in my head, I know that, but y’all all know I’m crazy, so it doesn’t matter.”

Kinnisten also recalled a Thanksgiving that included her husband blowing up stuff in the kitchen.

“He made this corn casserole and he put the dish that it was cooked in on the stovetop, forgetting that we had just cooked something, so the whole casserole went ‘BOOM’ all over the kitchen because the glass got so hot sitting on the hot stove,” she recalled. “It was a blue Pyrex dish, thank God, so we could see the little chunks of blue everywhere in the kitchen, but yeah – that was a fun one.”

Freshmen Summer Banning and Cassidy Joyce wrote this story for their Intro to Publications project.

They can be reached at banningsu0801@daretolearn. org or joyceca0327@daretolearn.org.

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Photo by Shorelines Yearbook Visiting the Poulos home on Ocean Acres Drive in Kill Devil Hills is a tradition for many. Guests can chat with Santa and walk the grounds to see a dazzling array of Christmas displays.

Poulos house lights up OBX

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By Beverly Murry Staff Writer

or 36 years, Jim Poulos and his family have shared what began as a simple family tradition and has become known to the entire Outer Banks.

Owners of “The Christmas House” Jim and Ann Poulos have been dazzling the beach community since 1980.

The couple has been decorating since 1969 – the year they got married – but the tradition goes back to when Jim was just a child.

“We were armed forces families, and Christmas was that special time of year.

That’s when we got our school clothes, our everything, it wasn’t during the year,” Jim said. “So come Christmas, our father would decorate the house a little bit, likewise when when we got married we started decorating our house.”

The tradition has grown to be so much more and has become something that many include as a holiday staple.

Decorating the house this year began on July 29 and Jim Poulos said he has been working on it nearly every day since then.

Creating the winter wonderland of lights that is loved throughout the Outer Banks is not an easy task. Poulos said he worked a full eight hours a day for months.

Regardless if the house is finished, Poulos officially illuminates the house on Thanksgiving night and keeps it open every night through New Year’s. Viewing the lights is

free for all, but donations are accepted to help cover the power bill for the lights. Every year since putting up the lights, the bill has been fully paid, and any extra money is put back into buying lights for the house.

“Thanksgiving is probably one of the busiest nights we have, but I am never finished,” Poulos said. “Normally three days before Christmas I’m bringing out the last of it.”

Freshman Madison Delcollo has been going to the house with her family for as long as she can remember.

“The first time I went I was probably 5.

We go every single year, and it’s really fun because when I was a little 5-year-old looking at the lights, I believed in Santa Claus and I loved it,” Delcollo said.

Over the past 36 years, with the help of the guest books outside the house, Poulos estimates that more than a million people have come to see the lights. Onlookers who were once children are now returning with their own families to see the lights, and the tradition is now being shared with families all over the country.

“My favorite part is the people,” Poulos said. “I love seeing the expressions of joy on everybody’s faces. That means the world. It warms my heart and my wife’s heart. I would have given up years ago when my youngest went off to college, but we already had so many people coming by here we just didn’t want to let them down.”

Sophomore Beverly Murry can be reached at murrybe0316@daretolearn.org. winter / / 2015

This New Year’s, resolve to be part of the 8 percent

By Lauren Law and Carrietta Classen Special to Nighthawk News

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wenty-four days. That’s all it takes for 46 percent of Americans to break their New Year’s resolutions, according to online mental health website Psych-

Central.

Students and teachers from First Flight High School also admit to having a hard time keeping their goals.

“To keep my room clean; I failed,” said freshman Madison Delcollo, who smiled as she stated what her resolution was.

Statistics show there are many others who want to make their lives better with resolutions to be neater or more organized, but end up failing because they think they “don’t have enough time” or “aren’t motivated enough” or just plain “don’t feel like it.”

Delcollo said she wanted a chance at redemption, so this year she will try again.

“I want to this year, it means a lot to me to have a clean room,” she said.

One of the country’s most common resolutions is one math teacher Melissa Frye has made: to be healthier and get more exercise.

“A couple years ago, I was very dedicated to this and changed how I lived and went to the gym a couple times a week,” Frye said.

But in years past, the resolution has slipped by her.

“I would hire someone to drag my butt down to the gym,” Frye said of a funny way she could complete her goal.

Junior Megan Ash said she wanted to stop using bad language, especially around her siblings, for last year’s resolution. When she only made it an hour, she got frustrated with herself.

“Well, I didn’t complete it,” Ash said. “I was just feeling bad about myself. I thought that I wasn’t being a good person and I needed to change.”

No matter how hard resolutions are to keep, almost everyone makes them. Only 38 percent of Americans has never made a New Year’s resolution.

“I’ve never really had a serious New Year’s

resolution before because it never really mattered to me and I didn’t really understand what they meant,” said sophomore Haley Hartin, who will become part of the fun this year. “I chose this New Year’s resolution to better my grades because I think it’s a great goal.”

PsychCentral reports that resolutions all started because of the Roman mythical god Janus, who had two faces: one that allowed him to look back into the past year and one looking forward to the New Year. The Romans mostly made morality-based resolutions, such as seeking forgiveness from their enemies.

Eventually, people took off with the idea and instead of fixing their errors, began using resolutions to find things wrong with themselves.

So, will you be part of the 8 percent of Americans who complete their resolution?

Freshmen Lauren Law and Carrietta Classen wrote this story for their Intro to Publications project. They can be reached at lawla1214@ daretolearn.org and classenca0531@daretolearn.org.

Students seek fun with diverse New Year’s traditions

By Anna Kate Coley and Olivia O’Steen Special to Nighthawk News

O

n New Year’s Eve, people enjoy going to parties with friends and family to watch the ball drop and make resolutions. Students have a variety of ideas when it comes to celebrating.

Many students said they would like to go to New York City to see the ball drop in Times Square. That first celebration took place in 1904, when New Yorkers held up a torch to usher in the New Year. Now, millions of people gather to watch the famous New Year’s Eve Ball Drop.

“When I went to New York City,” Spanish teacher Nitzia Gale said of her favorite New Year’s memory. “It was very exciting and there were so many people. There was a very diverse group of people.”

That kind of celebration isn’t for everyone, though: “If I could do anything for New Year’s, I would want to be chillin’, eating cheesecake and going to bed by 9,” sophomore Meghan Savona said.

Junior Taylor Crumpler and freshman, Daniel Olszewski said it would be nice to have an escape from the cold of the Outer Banks and visit somewhere tropical.

Freshman Shelby Miller, though, heads North for New Year’s with family.

“I’m usually in Vermont,” Miller said. “My Nana has a really big family party and we play a game called Yankee Swap. It’s really fun.”

Gift-stealing games like that might seem weird to some, but many other countries have their own unique traditions that may seem strange to Americans.

In Ireland, people bang bread against the walls and doors of the house to chase the bad luck and spirits away and invite in good spirits

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

Photo by Creative Commons People flock to Times Square in New York City to see the ball drop at New Year’s. Making that trip is one way many people celebrate the new year, but there are plenty of options for a fun night. for the new year.

In Russia, New Year’s is even bigger than Christmas, featuring a huge celebration with fireworks and live music in Red Square. There is even a Russian Santa who leaves presents for children to open on New Year’s Day. Over the years, students will develop their own traditions with their families.

“Every year I drink sparkling grape juice,” senior Zoe Ballard said.

“I eat Hoppin’ Johns for good luck,” offered freshman Caroline Clissold.

Freshman Kimmy Fernandez was born on New

Year’s Day, and her favorite New Year’s memory was when she was in seventh grade: “Nobody bought me a present, so everyone panicked and just gave me a bunch of money,” she said.

No matter the traditions, most students believe that New Year’s brings the faith in starting over: “You get to make resolutions and try not to screw up,” senior Heidi Jacobson said. “But you still do.”

Freshmen Anna Kate Coley and Olivia O’Steen wrote this story for their Intro to Publications project. They can be reached at coleyan0529@daretolearn.org and osteenol0806@daretolearn.org.

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Don’t set the table with these questionable dishes

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By Shelby Miller and Sophie Johnson Special to Nighthawk News

’ll have the salad that looks like vomit” – said no one ever.

The holidays wouldn’t be the same without the classic turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy. But some dishes on the table should not be there.

Oyster stuffing? Ambrosia salad?

Brussels sprouts? No thanks.

Apple pie? Fresh-baked rolls?

Now that’s more like it.

“I’ll never try that cranberry sauce stuff. It jiggles, and food shouldn’t jiggle,” sophomore Sean Nicholson said with a laugh.

It may be the smell or even the looks that prevent students from trying certain foods. Sometimes the name even sounds bad, like giblet gravy, or tofurkey. Giblet gravy is the heart, liver, gizzard and neck of a chicken or other fowl cooked into gravy. This may sound good to someone ... somewhere.

Tofurky is a vegetarian turkey made of wheat protein and organic tofu. Most students have never tried these dishes and would like for it to stay that way.

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Photos by Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service The phrase ‘turkey and all the trimmings’ sometimes means having unusual side dishes on the table during festive holiday meals.

Not all holiday foods are bad.

There are certain dishes that are so good, people find themselves looking forward to them every year.

The chocolate pie your aunt brings, the strawberry cheesecake your grandma makes, even the famous green-bean casserole only your uncle knows how to make just so.

“I love coconut pie. My second cousin makes it during Christmastime and it’s really good, so I look forward to it,” freshman Anna Kate Coley said.

Desserts are definitely worth the wait, whether it’s at the end of the night or the end of the year.

“Desserts are the best, especially apple pie. You gotta save the best for last,” senior Hunter Midkiff said.

The treats seem to be a favorite – unless you burn the apple pie, like freshman Kaitlyn Hales did one year: “I left it in the oven and went to go do something else. I totally forgot about it,” Hales said.

Before you eat all this good, or

not so good food, someone has to make it. For most students, it’s the whole family that contributes. But from a teacher’s point of view, it can be nice to relax and let someone else handle the cooking.

“Since we go to my mother’s (for Thanksgiving), I don’t make all of the food. I make most of the side dishes. My mother does the rest,” math teacher Jennifer Kinnisten said.

Every once in a while, a relative prepares a winner – even with a questionable name.

“My favorite food during the holidays is what my mom calls ‘monkey bread.’ My mom makes it every Christmas morning and it’s an awesome tradition,” freshman Hayley Miller said.

That’s the dilemma for students: How do we know if the dishes are gross or great? Perhaps it’s worth giving it all a try. Monkey bread, after all, tastes a lot better than it sounds.

Freshmen Shelby Miller and Sophie Johnson wrote this story for their Intro to Publications project. They can be reached at millersh0814@daretolearn.org and johnsonso0628@daretolearn.org.

winter / / 2015

Barnes takes last bow at winter concert

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By Hayley Miller Special to Nighthawk News

he holiday concert happens every year at First Flight, but this year’s was very special for Cezette Barnes. She is going to retire and get married to Don Tyler.

Her last day teaching will be Dec. 18.

“My retirement is bittersweet,” Barnes said.

“I am sad about having to leave, but happy to start a new chapter in my life.”

At last week’s concert, Barnes prepared remarks for the audience, but was too choked up to give them. A family member read it instead to an appreciative crowd.

Barnes and Tyler plan on traveling to places like Paris, Italy, Mexico and Central America.

They are planning a wedding that will happen sometime in the spring. The students that Barnes teaches seem happy for her, but sad to see her go.

“I like that the people in class are free to be themselves,” freshman Courtney White said.

“We spend our whole day under the pressure of school work and social standards, but then when we walk into chorus it feels like no one will judge you for who you are.”

Most of Barnes’ students have known her for three, four, even seven years, so it will be hard for them to see her go.

“Many of my students started studying music with me in the sixth grade and stayed with the program until they graduated,” Barnes said.

“It is easy to become very attached with these students in those years.”

In that time, Barnes has helped many stu-

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

Photos by Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News Chorus teacher Cezette Barnes works with her fifth-period class to prepare the group for the recent winter concert. Barnes’ well-known spot at the piano (below) will be taken by John Buford next semester. dents become better singers – and even better people.

“Ms. Barnes has helped me since sixth grade,” senior Hannah Blizzard said. “Because of her, I can hold notes longer, hit very high notes I didn’t think were possible for me to hit.

But most of all, she’s given me confidence in my singing and my life.”

John Buford will be Barnes’ replacement. Buford has been teaching the choirs at First Flight elementary and middle schools. He has worked

with Barnes during concerts involving all three schools.

“I am excited to continue the great work and excellence that Ms. Barnes brought to First Flight,” Buford said. “I have really enjoyed working with Ms. Barnes. I think we’ve made a great team. I will miss her enthusiasm and her dedication to the students.”

Freshman Hayley Miller wrote this story for her Intro to Publications project. She can be reached at millerha0814@daretolearn.org.

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Photos by Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News All Washed Up necklaces can be found all over the Outer Banks at stores such as Foxy Flamingo. The locally produced pieces are made by a two-person team that includes a First Flight graduate.

Local hit All Washed Up offers more than fashion

By Meghan Radigan and Jayden Carpenter Special to Nighthawk News

W

hat if a piece of jewelry could bring you inner beauty, or make the person wearing it feel empowered?

That is the goal of the All Washed Up line, to create a product that empowers women through nature and the sea.

Ashley and Jill Rawls, the creators of this popular line, started designing 3,000 miles away from each other. Jill was in California, while Ashley – a First Flight alumna – was here on the Outer Banks. The two started to mess around with designs and got their start at craft shows.

“Jill started sending me pieces and I would set up at local art shows with our designs,” Ashley said. “The response we received was overwhelming. We couldn’t believe people actually liked our designs.”

All Washed Up seems to be everywhere

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on the OBX today, but it’s not easy starting a business, as Ashley and Jill can attest to: “We started about three years ago and it was a lot of work,” Ashley said. “It was difficult getting our product out there. Social media has definitely helped a lot.”

Over a three-year period, they have acquired exposure in 30 different stores in seven states and also have multiple social media accounts, including a Facebook and Etsy site. The social media accounts are why a lot of people around the country are exposed to these necklaces, but All Washed Up definitely is an OBX trend.

All Washed Up offers a line that fits everyone’s fashion styles, from bar necklaces to statement pieces. Online, the pieces can be customized. Popular necklaces include sayings such as “Seas the Day,” “Vitamin Sea” and “Shell Yeah.”

“It’s tropical, stylish and customizable,” said freshman Logan Saunders, one of many First

Flight students who can be seen with the jewelry every day in the halls.

Students seem to be constantly talking about the different styles and new products.

“It’s just so cute,” sophomore Grace Pruneau said. “I don’t know how to describe it, it just goes with everything.”

Jill and Ashley definitely keep their fans happy by updating their social media pages with new items and talking about trunk shows with giveaways and special deals. This special slice of life on the Outer Banks might be shared with the world, but it’s something the OBX can call its own.

“It’s local, so it’s kinda a special thing only we have,” junior Morgan Brinkley said.

Meghan Radigan and Jayden Carpenter wrote this story for their Intro to Publications project.

They can be reached at radiganme1212@daretolearn.org and carpenterja1202@daretolearn. org.

winter / / 2015

Photo by Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News Colton Shuler dabbles in the kitchen and loves watching movies, but one of his favorite things to do is draw and animate. Here, the junior works on an art project in class.

From comics to cooking, Colton does it all

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By Mack Doebler Staff Writer

olton Shuler doesn’t really have a style when it comes to his art.

“If I think of something cool, I’ll do it. I don’t really plan ahead much,” the junior said.

Although when it comes to all the different styles of art that exist, Shuler tends to lean toward cartoons.

“I’ve been trying to make a webcomic,” Shuler said. “I am just now planning out the characters and the story, but I definitely have plans for my webcomic.”

Shuler also enjoys using his cartoonist skills to create animations with either Adobe Flash or Microsoft Paint. Flash is an animating tool that allows creative users to bring their works to life frame by NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

frame. Paint, however, is an online canvas, so it can only create still images. How would someone animate with a program as static as that?

“You can make the canvas size like 500 by a million, so that it is really long. Then, you just keep drawing images and scroll through it really fast,” he said of his creative method of animating with Paint.

If he isn’t working on an animation, his web comic or a school art project, Shuler probably is watching a movie.

“I love movies so much and I have seen so many that I could stay up for six hours watching a 1930s Samurai movie,” Shuler said.

The movie buff has an opinion on just about every film genre, from today’s superhero blockbusters – “I think they are cash cows that even

if they are badly written, they will make super amounts of money,” Shuler said – to Indie films and romantic comedies, including his favorite, “The Devil Wears Prada.”

“For every horrible romantic comedy, there are eight good ones,” Shuler said.

As for the upcoming Star Wars release: “I want to see if they make it or break it,” Shuler said. “I mean, they’ve got J.J. Abrams (directing), so it’s gonna be awesome.”

Shuler loves cinema so much that he even likes to write his own scripts. One of his favorite ideas depicts a murderer chasing a screaming victim up a staircase that is eventually revealed to be an escalator going down.

Shuler also finds time to be creative in the kitchen, showing off his talents with yet another art form.

“I make my own relish and I’m

a pretty good cook,” Shuler said. “I like making stuffed French toast.

Stuffed with cream cheese, cream cheese and bacon, anything delicious.”

There is one stuffing, however, that has been eluding him for some time.

“I’ve been trying to fry French toast and stuff it with ice cream,” Shuler said.

His cooking has turned him into a bit of an entrepreneur.

“I made my own brand of relish called ‘Hellish Relish.’ I just need jars and labels,” Shuler said.

Some may call Colton Shuler an artist, a cinephile, or a cook, but for all the talents he displays, Shuler stands out as a modern-day renaissance man.

Junior Mack Doebler can be reached at doeblerma0930@daretolearn.org.

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A new hope arrives as ‘Star Wars’ mania hits OBX

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Photos by Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News Star Wars merchandise from comics (above) to figures and shirts dominate the shelves at Kill Devil Hills comic book store Earth 383. Workers at the store are preparing for the release of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ with special events leading up to Dec. 17, and the comic book shop has partnered with the local movie theater for an exclusive showing that comes with a limited-edition Star Wars print.

By Byrde Wells Sports Editor

irtually everyone knows that the Star Wars series will be rekindled when the seventh installment – “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” – hits theaters in the U.S. on Dec. 17.

The galaxy of special events on the Outer Banks leading up to the big day might be more of a surprise.

Earth 383 Comics in Kill Devil Hills has partnered with RC Theatres to run multiple events promoting the release, including a special screening for people who bought their ticket from the comic book store.

“They gave us a chunk of tickets and said, ‘You go ahead and sell these tickets for people who want to be in your exclusive theater,” said Duf Franco, who runs the shop at 2401 N. Croatan Highway, not far from Avalon Pier. “Of course, it’s Star Wars, the tickets almost sell themselves. But what we did as an added perk for people to come by and buy them was that we hired an artist who made a limited-edition print that only people who bought tickets from us get to have.”

Earth 383 will be holding an extravaganza at the movie theatre from 3:30 to 6:30 on the Dec. 17 release day, which will include some friends from Darth Vader’s personal army. Carolina Garrison is a chapter of the 501st Legion, an all-volunteer international Star Wars costuming organization that promotes the series and does volunteer and charity work for communities.

“Outside of the theatre, Carolina Garrison is coming out, led by our buddy Jason Hill. We’re going to be doing photo ops with the 501st, have carnival games going on, shoot the Stormtrooper, maybe some temporary tattoos with some airbrushing going on,” Franco said. “We’re also playing a ‘Jeopardy’-like game called who Wants To Be A Jedi, which is focused on Star Wars trivia and has you gambling credit for our store. Inside the theater, we’re doing an artist gallery with local artists as well as artists from Elizabeth City, Edenton and Virginia. These artists have all made Star Wars-themed art and we are going to display their art at the movie so everyone can see it.”

A week before the movie release, Earth 383 will be holding a Star Wars movie marathon at the store. Movies are free to watch and will be used to refresh fans’ memories. The Earth 383 shops in Kill Devil Hills and Elizabeth City will run a movie a night from 6:30-9 starting with “The Phantom Menace” on Friday and continuing with “The Attack of the Clone Wars” Saturday, “Revenge of the Sith” on Sunday, “A New Hope” Monday, “The Empire Strikes Back” on Tuesday, and “Return of the Jedi” on Wednesday.

Taking place 30 years after the events of “Return of the Jedi,” the new Photo by Lucasfilm/Tribune News Service Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca and Harrison Ford as Han Solo return to familiar roles in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’ The film opens to great fanfare on Dec. 17.

Local comic book shop Earth 383 and movie theater R/C Kill Devil Hills Movies 10 will have special events for the big day.

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winter / / 2015

film delves into the stories of main characters Rey and Finn, played by Daisey Ridley and John Boyega, respectively. Finn and Rey cross paths after Finn, a Stormtrooper, escapes The First Order, which is the new empire led by Kylo Ren (played by Adam Driver) and crash lands on the new planet of Jakku, where he eventually meets Rey. The two then embark on a wild journey across the universe to put an end to The First Order and find the forgotten force.

After Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm Ltd. in 2012, J.J. Abrams was chosen to direct the new Star Wars film. George Lucas, creator and executive producer of all the previous Star Wars movies, has announced that he had virtually no creative role in the new film, and he did not receive any credits on the official movie poster.

This led to speculation about the quality of “The Force Awakens” by not just the media, but fans who care about the series.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing if Disney will have any bad affects on the Star Wars universe in general or if they’re gonna keep it in good standing,” junior Parker Banks said.

Lucas’ universe does not seem to be completely thrown away, as many fan-favorite characters are returning to the film. Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher are all reprising their roles as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia, respectively. R2-D2 and C3PO are making appearances as well. This is pivotal for fans who grew up in an age when these characters were stars and – more importantly – idols.

“It’s nostalgia for our age group, taking us back to our youth because most of us our age had our childhood based off of ‘The Empire Strikes

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

Back.’ The prequels weren’t bad, but the fact that this movie is bringing back old characters is huge,” Franco said. “These were characters I idolized, and guys like Han Solo, played by Harrison Ford in the original and in this one, are coming back. When Disney announced they bought Star Wars and were going to be doing an episode seven, I said, ‘Fine, as long as Harrison Ford is Han Solo.’ Nobody else can be Han Solo.”

For the impending release of a highly anticipated movie, R/C Theatres has its hands full. To alleviate some of that pressure, times, rules and ticket discounts have already been established. Manager Russ Blair said the earliest regular showing on Dec. 17 will be 7 p.m. and the first 3D showing will be 7:20. Ticket prices are $11 and $14, respectively, although the theater’s “locals” pack of tickets can be used as normal.

“As for rules, costumes are allowed, but no masks in the building, no weapons like light sabers, nothing that’s gonna cause someone to not enjoy the show,” Blair said. “We are going to have at least 500 people on that Thursday for the release. The movie theater can hold 1,300 people. We want to use as many seats as we can to make the movie enjoyable to all.”

Some students already have elaborate plans, including road trips.

“My dad and I are actually going to an IMAX theatre in Virginia to watch it the day it releases,” junior Ian Corbett said.

Others have to go as far as their job to see the movie.

“I was going to get my ticket through the comic book store, but because of how my job at the theater works, we are able to preview movies just to make sure they come through correctly,” Banks said. “Either the day of or day before, we will see the Star Wars movie and get to view it for free.”

Junior Miller Cipriano said he will be enjoying a Star Wars marathon.

“Some friends and I are going to watch all six movies in order and time it so that when we are done with the last episode, we immediately leave to go see the new one,” he said.

Without a Star Wars movie for more than 10 years, the desire to revisit a series that impacted many childhoods is invigorating.

“Star Wars has changed my life completely. As a growing child, it filled me with imagination and excitement,” Cipriano said. “When I was little I was obsessed with the different games and toys and my friends and I would stay up for hours playing the games and having light saber battles.

It was an important topic in my life and still is.”

This not only applies to ‘90s children, but the children of the ‘70s who were first exposed to the original Star Wars trilogy.

“I’m 40, and it’s such a big movie because so many people from our age want to take their kids,” Franco said. “Geek culture as a whole, liking it all throughout high school was a complete stigma for me. It was kinda like, ‘Well, you’re not quite right if you are going to watch movies about that stuff in outer space.’ It’s funny, because the joke nowadays is, ‘You’ve never seen Star Wars?’ ” Junior Byrde Wells can be reached at wellsje1210@daretolearn.org.

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Tragic loss leaves impact on community

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e learned a lot from the death of Bri Blumenthal, the First Flight sixth-grader who was struck and killed while riding her bike within sight of our building.

Life is fragile and can be taken quickly. Some of our students have siblings at the middle school who saw Bri every day, wrote notes on her locker following the accident the Monday before Thanksgiving, struggled with the emotions of her death three days later. One day she was a 12-year-old, little different from the kid we once were. The next day, she was just gone.

The little place we call home has a big heart. Word of the accident that sent Bri to the hospital spread quickly. The Outer Banks is a small community in which everybody knows everybody. Bri’s dad, Scotty, kept people updated with Facebook posts. For a few days, we were treated to words of hope despite the traumatic injuries Bri suffered.

Support for the family came from all over the world. A GoFundMe account raised more than $58,000 from more than 1,200 people in the two weeks following Bri’s accident. More money was collected at Southern Bank locations, first to help

the family with medical expenses, then to buy helmets for the foundation Scotty is starting.

As inspiring as it has been to see the community rally during this difficult time, it is a shame that it took a tragedy to bring so many people together. But this accident also taught us sympathy, not only for the Blumenthals and all who knew Bri, but for the driver of the vehicle who struck her. Many of our students know the driver, and they recognize that her life will never be the same.

We cannot imagine having to live with the horrors of that moment for the rest of our lives.

New drivers learned that extra care must be taken on Outer Banks roads when the glare of a sunset or sunrise can make it extraordinarily difficult to see. Bri was crossing at Colington Road and Veterans Drive when the driver ran the solid red stoplight in place to allow for safe crossing at the foot of the Wright Brothers Memorial.

According to police, the driver missed the red light because she was blinded by the angle of the sun. How many times have we had to just wing it when driving through a sunny or rainy or foggy patch in the road?

Bri’s death makes us think when we’re behind the

Photo by Shorelines Yearbook A memorial to First Flight sixth-grader Bri Blumenthal stands at the corner of Veterans Drive and Colington Road, where she was struck and killed while riding her bike. wheel in these situations.

For all we have learned from Bri’s tragic death, a question remains: Have we learned the biggest lesson of all?

The answer, for most of us, is no.

Helmet hair. Being hot and ugly. Feeling safe because we ride in a quiet neighborhood. Being made fun of by our peers – or even some adults. These are among the many reasons teens choose to ride bikes or skateboards without helmets, and Bri’s death may not be enough to overcome these perceptions.

Some of us saw the helicopter that would transport Bri’s broken body to a Virginia hospital. We saw our moms and dads

cry and donate money. We even know members of our own family who have been injured in bike accidents.

And yet most of us still won’t wear a helmet.

According to North Carolina law, everyone 16 and under must wear a helmet.

The fine for not doing so is $10 – which can be waived upon proof of purchase of a bike helmet.

Scotty Blumenthal already has collected hundreds of helmets, and he pledges to put a helmet on every young bike rider in Dare County. He has posted a photo of himself on Facebook wearing his own new bike helmet. While we will never know if a helmet would have been enough to save Bri, statistics prove that helmets do save lives:

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that deaths for teens and kids in bicycle accidents decreased 86 percent since 1975. Of the 741 people who died while biking on U.S. roads in 2013, 63 percent were not wearing a helmet.

Bri’s foundation can give out helmets by the hundreds, but the effort will be wasted if people don’t wear them. Ironically, to look after ourselves – to be as safe as possible on a bike – we have to stop caring about ourselves: how we look in a helmet, what other people might say about us.

Can we learn to be that selfless? And if we can’t learn from the death of a 12-year-old within sight of our school, will anything teach us?

Hawk Talk: What is the worst Christmas

Scout Landry

Jerome Marsicano

“Tissues. I had to act happy about them. I got like seven packs.”

“A pack of underwear that was a size too small.”

Freshman

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Freshman

Ethan Valdivieso Sophomore

“My mom gave me a mattress pad for Christmas. I thought it was a Playstation, so it was really hard to act happy.”

Kiersten Lewis Sophomore

“One time my grandma got me a gift card to Belk. I don’t like that store.” winter / / 2015

What Rachel’s Challenge taught me

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By Christina Steube Special to Nighthawk News

iversity was the first word that came across my mind after the assembly for Rachel’s Challenge. While the speaker was telling us all about Rachel’s story, I thought of how diverse she was. There are not many people in this world who are as kind and as non-judgmental as Rachel was.

Rachel was different. She would defend others and lend a helping hand to someone who needed it. She never judged a person on their looks, attitude or race. She always gave people chances and she always had a dream of spreading her kindness. She wanted a chain reaction of kindness. You never know how far a little kindness can go.

We all judge. We judge a person’s style, look, and even disability. It’s not every day you see someone defending a kid being bullied. At my previous school, I used to walk past the kids that were being slammed into lockers because I didn’t want to be a part of the mess. I didn’t

want to be bullied, so I ignored what was happening.

Big mistake, because after learning Rachel’s story, I wanted to change what I did and go back and defend them all and not be afraid of the outcome. A lot of my peers will do the same – walk by a kid being bullied so they won’t be bullied as well. But if they got a chance to listen to Rachel’s story, I think they would want to do the same and defend the next kid that is being bullied.

At the end of the assembly, there was a banner that we all had a chance to sign before going back to class. The speaker told us that by signing it, we take on the five challenges, which are: Look for the best for others, treat others the way you want to be treated, choose positive influences, speak words of kindness, and forgive yourself and others.

As I left the auditorium, I saw students crying – students who I never thought I would see cry. They were touched by her story, and I hope everyone across the world will get a chance to be touched, too. I was deeply touched as well.

And so I signed that banner, feeling proud of myself knowing that I will choose positive influences, I will dream big, I will always forgive myself and others, and that I will never judge another person for their looks, fashion, sexuality or disability. Why judge when it does us no good? We only judge because we feel judged by others. By society.

So, stop judging people and do what Rachel did. Don’t judge a person for their first, second or third impression because they could be having a bad day. We all have a bad day, so if someone has an attitude or is rude, don’t say something rude back, because two wrongs don’t make a right. Don’t judge people with disabilities because they are no different from you. They have feelings and they care what you have to say or think about them. Let it be positive and don’t let anyone label you as average.

Junior Christina Steube submitted this story as a letter to the editor following the Rachel’s Challenge meeting. She can be reached at steubech0709@daretolearn.org.

New 10-point scale helps grades, hurts motivation

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hen it was announced almost a year ago that the North Carolina Board of Education voted to switch all high schools to a 10-point grading scale rather than the seven-point one we had, I didn’t think much of it.

Actually, I do remember thinking, “Why now?”

There have been so many changes concerning education in my lifetime. It seems as though the curriculum was always being modified. I recall learning the same things year after year because of all the adjustments.

I am used to those kinds of changes.

Nighthawk Notions Mary Pat Thompson But a change in the grading scale, after all current students have spent their academic careers mastering how to achieve the highest scores possible with the present seven-point system? I don’t understand why this was implemented.

Sure, change has to start somewhere, and I told myself this as I tried to adjust to the new system.

I understand the reasons why this new system was put in place.

Actually, many people have been rallying behind this for a while now. The switch in scale affects the way GPAs are calculated, and in turn can give students an edge in the college application process.

Even so, I have decided that I prefer the seven-point system to the 10-point one.

With the old system, the lowest A you could get was a 93. Now it’s a 90. In the grand scheme of things, that might not seem like a big deal, but it does make a difference.

Being able to get an A on a project that previously would have been graded a B may seem like a good thing, but it has caused me to care less about my work. Knowing that I can still get an A, knowing that I have that safety net, has made me not strive to work as hard as I can to achieve the highest grade possible.

I want my old motivation back. I hate that this new implementation has made it start to fizzle away.

I’m not doing bad in my classes.

I just know that I could be doing a little better with the old system.

Junior Mary Pat Thompson can be reached at thompsonma1001@ daretolearn.org.

present you have ever received?

Paul Seyler Junior

“Gameboy Advanced, because it has sucked my life into a hole I’m never coming out of.”

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

Sara Cook Junior

“So my bunny had just died, and my dad came back from Alaska with bunny fur. I cried.”

Lauren O’Dell Senior

“One year my four sibilngs and I each got each other’s favorite candy because our parents mixed it up. We had to switch with each other, which was kind of awkward.”

Declan Gallagher Senior

“Expired candy.

It’s the worst.”

Graphic by Mack Doebler: Compiled by Kristina Carter, Suzanne Harrison, Beverly Murry, Arabella Saunders and Dea Celaj.

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This barista is seeing red over the cup controversy

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s a Starbucks emthe controversy, and then proployee, I am used ceed to make comments about to asking people for how unnecessary it is. Custheir name so they tomers who are well-informed will know when their drink is in the matter will usually be ready. equipped with a sting of sarcasWhat I am not used to is tic comments that never fail to people who reply with, “My make me smile. name is Merry Christmas,” or Another group of people Nighthawk Notions those who don’t even let me who are equally – if not more ask how their day has been – outraged by the situation are Kristina Carter before they make a comment those who are actively inon the plain red cups. volved in charity organizations.

I understand that in past years, the corpoMany of these customers will say things like “if ration has included things such as snowflakes, we take the money that we spend on coffee and snowmen and ornaments on its cups in Novem- put it toward helping others, the world would be ber and December. However, the words “Merry a better place.”

Christmas” have never been put on these cups, In situations like this, it can be a bit frusso why is it a problem now? trating for the employee. While we try to be Social media has played a large role in this understanding of all sides, we cannot be comoutrageous outrage, with people taking to Facepletely unbiased, nor can we always agree with book, Twitter and Instagram posting photos of your statements over a controversial issue. Many those plain – but incredibly cute – ombré cups. of the customers who come up to the counter Many people are showing off their clever new sharing their personal opinions on the controphrases they asked the barista to put on the cup versy are waiting for one of the employees to instead of their name; however, in order to get whole-heartedly agree with them; however, no these cups with your unique, Christmas-based matter which side you are on, many of us simply phrase, you would have actually paid for the cof- can’t reach an agreement with you in the issue. fee. If someone is so outraged by Starbucks and As employees, we will never see this from the its supposed lack of Christmas spirit, why pay customer’s perspective, and the customers will that same corporation for a cup of coffee? never understand the difficulty that arises when While those who are outraged by the situation you hear different components of the same story can be frustrating, there is an opposite end to the all day long. spectrum. Many people will ask questions about No matter how you felt about the contro-

Photo by Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News The lineup at Starbucks is loved by many, but the company’s new red holiday cups caused a stir. versy, I feel that the plain red cup leaves a lot of room for your imagination to run wild. For those who are artistic, you could create your own winter wonderland scene on your cup.

Or here’s an idea: Savor what’s on the inside and don’t worry about what you’re going to throw away in five minutes.

So, for all of those who are against these lovely red cups, next time you are in Starbucks, be sure to check out one of our many “Christmas blend” coffees, and maybe grab a reusable cup as a quick “Christmas gift” for your friends or family. Better yet, while you are in the store that is waging a war on Christmas, be sure to check out our amazing collection of “Christmas ornaments.” I’m sure they would be a great addition to your tree this year.

Junior Kristina Carter can be reached at carterkr0206@daretolearn.org

Southern Bank invites you to donate helmets or funds at any Southern Bank location in the OBX area in memory of Bri Blumenthal.

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winter / / 2015

3 a.m.: It’s time to go swimming

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By Arabella Saunders Staff Writer

n the course of their careers, every athlete faces challenges.

For some, it’s a play they just can’t grasp. For others, the fear of letting down their team. Whether it’s physical or mental, each obstacle overcome is a step closer to reaching success. For senior swimmer Sarah Mandis, the biggest obstacle she faces is her schedule.

Mandis first began swimming when she was 5 and has excelled in the sport ever since. Her success has been credited to her dedication and overall love for swimming.

As a member of the First Flight High School swim team as well as Old Dominion Aquatic Club – a club team located in Chesapeake, Virginia – Mandis has had to learn to balance two swim teams, school, sleep and a social life.

Mandis wakes up at 3 a.m. twice a week to drive to Chesapeake.

Her practice starts at 4:40 a.m. and ends at 6 a.m. Then she drives home and gets ready for school.

On Saturdays, she wakes up at 4:30 a.m. and practices from 6 to 9. Mandis also has practice in the afternoon three times a week. On those days, she leaves school after fourth period and drives directly to Chesapeake. When she doesn’t have practice for her club team, Mandis attends high school practice in the morning before school.

In order to participate in both the high school swim team and ODAC, Mandis has had to compromise practices for both teams; however, she has still been able to spend an adequate amount of time practicing with each team.

“The fact that Sarah thinks highly enough of us to keep coming and swimming with the high school team even though she has involvement in a club team, at which she swims with a group of athletes that swim at a different level, says a lot about her,” FFHS coach Dave Elder said. “Her willingness to sacrifice her time in pursuit of excellence is what really impresses me.”

With such a busy schedule, time management has played a key role in Mandis’ life.

“It took a lot of trial and error,” Mandis said. “I use Empower Time to get work done and I try to get as much done at school as I can so I don’t have a lot to do when I get home and I can go right to bed.”

Finding time to hang out with friends has also been a struggle for Mandis, as most of her hours are de-

Photos by Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News Senior Sarah Mandis spends hours a day in the pool as an elite swimmer for both First Flight and her club team out of Virginia. Mandis hopes to continue swimming at the collegiate level. voted to swimming and schoolwork.

“I don’t have a lot of free time,” Mandis said. “But I have a couple of solid friends that know my schedule and will work around it. They know what I do and they understand swimming and know what I go through.”

Throughout her career, Mandis has developed great friendships with her teammates on both her club and high school team. They have been encouraging and supportive in every aspect of her life.

“My favorite thing about swim is the people,” Mandis said. “It’s like a family. I don’t know what I would do without the people on my Virginia team or the high school team. It’s just so much fun.”

Despite the early rising and the long hours, Mandis’ love for swimming is unwavering.

“I don’t really know many other people who would wake up at 3 a.m. for a sport in Virginia,” Mandis said.

“But I just really love the sport. I have a passion for it, so that’s what kind of keeps me going.”

Her dedication has definitely paid off. Last year, Mandis placed first in both the 500 freestyle and the 200 freestyle at the NCHSAA 1A/2A state championship swim meet. She intends on holding on to those titles this season as well.

“That was really exciting, so this year I’m hoping to keep that streak,” Mandis said. “My goal is definitely getting first place again.”

For her club team, Mandis’ goal for the year is qualifying for Junior Nationals, a meet held by the National Club Swimming Association in Orlando. The qualifying time for the 200 freestyle is 1:55.29: Mandis’ time is 1:55.30.

“I’m so close to getting that

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions/sports

time, it’s crazy,” Mandis said. “I’m super determined to get that this year.”

Mandis is planning to pursue swimming in college, although she isn’t sure where just yet.

Swimming has had a huge impact on Mandis’ life. Her demanding schedule is nothing compared to the lasting friendships she has made and the successes she has earned.

Swimming has also taught Mandis many important life lessons.

“Swim has taught me to be a team player and how important it is to work together and encourage others,” Mandis said. “It’s given me great friendships and relationships that will last my entire life.”

Junior Arabella Saunders can be contacted at saundersar0214@ daretolearn.org.

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Wickre makes history with D-I scholarship for equestrian at USC Photo by Dea Celaj/Nighthawk News First Flight senior Hunter Crook glides through the water during a November meet at the Outer Banks Family YMCA.

No one can catch Crook in the water

By Kristina Carter Co-Editor-in-Chief

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aking up before the sun rises, driving to the YMCA and preparing for the long workouts ahead: This is how Hunter Crook spends his mornings.

Since second grade, Crook knew that swimming was his favorite sport.

He started out in a neighborhood summer league when he lived in Charlotte.

“I enjoyed swimming the most out of the sports I tried out as a kid and stuck with it,” Crook said.

Nine years later, Crook now swims for First Flight and the Outer Banks Swim Club at the YMCA in Nags Head.

The Outer Banks Swim Club practices eight times a week – mornings and afternoons – and the school team practices before school. Between the early mornings, the long school day, and returning to swim practice, Crook has a busy schedule.

“Getting up before the sun comes up most mornings does get tiring, but it is all part of the process,” he said.

The process has paid off for Crook.

Last year, he placed second at the NCHSAA 2-A state championships in the 500 freestyle, and he also placed in the top 10 at the Virginia Senior Championships in the 1000 and 1650 freestyle. Crook has qualified for the Junior Nationals, which will take place in Orlando in March.

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Crook has been swimming with the Outer Banks Swim Club for seven years and has made life-long friends along the way.

“My favorite part of swimming is being a part of a strong-knit group of swimmers,” Crook said.

Crook makes sure all the Nighthawks get that bond, whether it’s people he has competed with for years or newcomers to the team.

“He’s always really helpful and welcoming,” said senior Laura Maniet, who has competed with Crook since sophomore year.

“He’s always willing to share his goggles when everybody forgets theirs,” she added with a laugh. “I still have his from last year.”

Crook’s sense of humor also helps lighten the mood at those early-morning practices. But everyone knows his sarcasm about swimming before the sunrise is only a cover.

“He’s always the person who says he hates swimming the most, but deep down he loves it,” Maniet said.

Crook said he plans to swim in college and is currently in the recruiting process. While he has not been talking exclusively with any colleges, he has been in contact with coaches from Soka University in California, New York University and the University of Hawaii.

“I am keeping my options open,” Crook said. “I want to weigh all possible odds with potential schools.”

Junior Kristina Carter can be reached at carterkr0206@daretolearn.org.

S

By Byrde Wells Sports Editor

enior Farley Wickre made history at First Flight High School on Nov. 17 when she became the first female NCAA Division I scholarship athlete in school history.

While many people think about football and basketball scholarships, Wickre earned a scholarship to the University of South Carolina for equestrian. For Wickre, this scholarship has been a testament to how much effort she has put into a sport she has been practicing since her childhood years.

The question “How did you get involved in a sport like horse riding” is nothing new to Wickre. The way she got into the sport is just as unique as the sport itself.

“I always used to have pony rides at my birthdays when I was younger,” Wickre said with a laugh. “When I was 5, I showed a lot of interest in horses, so my parents decided to let me take riding lessons.”

Those pony rides blossomed into something much larger, with Wickre winning local horse shows when she was only 5 years old. At 6, Wickre and her horse Tater Tot won all the local events and took home awards at state 4-H shows. By age 8, Wickre obtained the biggest accolade in her very young career.

“When my parents got involved in quarter horse showing, they gave me a horse called Peekaboo: He was the first horse I really had a lot of success with and was truly mine,” Wickre said. ”At 8 years old, me and Peekaboo won the High Point for North Carolina for the novice youth 18-and-under. I was competing against girls that were twice my age.”

Wickre began to realize that there may be more to this hobby than she believed. Around eighth grade, Wickre said she knew she could go to a Division I school and ride. By junior year, Wickre was getting recruited by colleges with top-tier equestrian programs.

Wickre took visits to Georgia and Auburn and verbally committed to Auburn in the spring. Wickre had her sights set on becoming a Tiger, but after the University of South Carolina showed interest just before , the tables turned quickly.

“I got an offer from (Auburn) in the early-signing period, but I started second-guessing my decision because I had always liked South Carolina and I never went to look at their campus. I made a trip to USC during the early-signing period and found out that South Carolina fit me better,” Wickre said.

“I’ve always wanted to live in a city and it’s in downtown Columbia. It’s very historical, pretty, and modern still with the historical feel. All the athletic facilities are like new. USC has the No. 1 international business school in the country, which is brand new and opened last year, which is great because I want to major in marketing.”

Reflecting back on her whole recruiting process, Wickre realizes that she could not have accomplished all she has in equestrian if it weren’t for her parents, Glenn and Kim. From helping her travel to getting her involved in the sport, Wickre is forever grateful.

“I’ve showed in Columbus, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Atlanta, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida and in a lot of shows in North Carolina. My parents have helped me out every single time,” Wickre said. “It helped they both grew up with horses. winter / / 2015

It’s an interest we share as family.”

Wickre has been mainly riding three different horses during the time she’s been getting recruited. She has placed top-five and top-10 at the All-American Quarter Horse Congress, which is the largest single-breed horse show in the world.

“I got my horse Nikki in fifth grade, who I still show today,” Wickre said. “We bought another horse, Bubbles: I still show Bubbles and have had some success with him at big events.

Then I got my horse Playboy because I wanted to start doing reining, and you have to have a different horse to show in reining. Playboy’s bred differently to do different tasks and he’s a lot smaller.”

Working with these horses and others on her way to the recognition of a college scholarship is a big accomplishment for Wickre.

“Being the first Division I scholarship athlete at First Flight for equestrian is a big accomplishment because it’s not even a school sport. To get recruited, I had to do it all on my own. I never had a home game where people could just come look at me,” Wickre said. “I just love the aspect of working with a 1,200-pound animal that you have no idea what mood it’s going to be in or anything to accomplish a goal. It just teaches you how to have a bond with your horse. They’re not just a pet.”

Junior Byrde Wells can be reached at wellsje210@daretolearn.org.

Photo by South Carolina Sports Info Farley Wickre will show off several riding styles when competing for the Gamecocks.

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