Summer 2017 Nighthawk News Magazine by Steve Hanf

New Beginnings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Seniors prepare to graduate and start their new lives. Learn about them in this special Senior Celebration.

WHAT’S INSIDE 4-22 – In our Senior Celebration, learn more about the achievements, obstacles, hopes and dreams of a cross section of First Flight’s senior class. 24-25 – College map 26-27 – New superintendent, COA classes, Literary Mag

ighthawk News Magazine was 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 2,000 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.

28-29 – FFMS turns 25, H2OBX waterpark 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.com. Follow us on Twitter @FFNighthawkNews, Facebook.com/NighthawkNews and Instagram @FFHSNighthawkNews. Target Printing and Distribution of the Fayetteville Observer prints our publication.

30-31 – Summer jobs, John’s celebrates anniversary 32-33 – Coli Ball, Men’s fashion trends 34-35 – ROV team, Little libraries 36-37 – Artists in the Spotlight 38-39 – Thank you, seniors!, Mental illness awareness 40-41 – Internet blocking, Letters to the Editor 42-43 – Softball’s cute mascot, Zumba 44-45 – J Austin jumps high, Bauldauf is the best 46-47 – Nighthawk Sports Cards: Collect them all!

Congrats Grads of 2017!

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summer / / 2017

ON THE COVER

or so long I’ve dreaded hearing the question, “What’s next?” I think the same can probably be said for most of us about to graduate. We all have plans of our own, whether they involve heading off to college, working, serving in our military, taking a gap year – they are all equally as important and, let’s face it, a bit overwhelming at times. So yes, we know where we’ll be next year. But as for where that will take us? When college is long over – when some of us have started families, careers, lives of our own? There is no one who can tell us those things. I have finally come to terms with that. Things are changing and it’s equally as scary as it is exciting. It was really great to revel in that feeling with 18 other seniors who are all headed on different paths at this issue’s cover shoot at Kitty Hawk Elementary School. Sophomore Ben Tran did a great job capturing these moments as our photographer with guidance from Aaron Jennings, a great friend of our publication. We acted like children, climbing on top of the monkey bars, running up the slides and jumping off the swings like we were back in kindergarten. It was nice. Some of us have been best friends since grade school, while others haven’t really talked in years – but during this photo shoot none of that mattered. We dove head-first into a pit of nostalgia that had no time for social hierarchies. Someone busted out singing the iCarly theme song and everyone quickly followed behind. Stories of playground’s past were shared, with memories of “Bug City” and getting front teeth chipped off. We marveled at the new equipment and sadly gazed over where the shark tooth pit used to be. When it was all over, most of us were hesitant to leave. We sat

in the mulch, continued climbing on the monkey bars, and rode our bikes all around the parking lot. It was almost as if we left the senior shoot, it would suddenly become real. If we stopped sitting around, reminiscing about our past, it would be time to start our future. A couple hours later, though, we eventually left. I got into my Jeep Cherokee and drove away from KHES, and, in turn, drove toward whatever is going to come next. My favorite TV shows aren’t getting renewed for another season. They’re finishing because their stories are done. One of my favorite childhood bands just released an album. They had more stories to tell. At FFHS, 172 of us are about to take on the world. Our story is just beginning. It has been the greatest privilege of my life to be a part of Nighthawk News Magazine. To Robin Sawyer – thank you for introducing me to journalism. Also, thank you for changing my schedule and putting me into Newspaper my sophomore year. To Steve Hanf – thank you for guiding me throughout my last two years of high school. I will always remember to write about people, not just places or things. You are the greatest teacher/life coach I could have ever asked for. To the OG newspaper squad – thank you for believing in Nighthawk News when our staff box only included eight names. To the entire staff – thank you for everything. I will take so many wonderful memories with me when I leave – everything from attending a political rally in Indy, being a part of a podcast with my “vretheren,” seeing the amazing progress the underclassmen have made and being trusted enough to tell some incredible stories. Thank you so much. – Mary Pat Thompson

Photo by Ben Tran/Nighthawk News Seniors (from left) J Austin, Miller Cipriano and Christian Eberhard look out from the top of the covered rest area at the Kitty Hawk Elementary School playground after shooting the cover photo of their last ever high school newspaper.

Photos by Ben Tran/Nighthawk News (Left) On top of their favorite playground attraction, Mary Pat Thompson and Katy Spore reminisce about their elementary school days. (Above) Sam Surprenant flashes a smile while going down a slide with Brady Creef trailing behind her. Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

Two mighty brains compete for

By Mack Doebler Online Editor

chool. For some, it’s a scary place where they can’t ﬁt in with the regimen and learning procedures. For others, it’s a great place to meet up with friends, or a place to learn, to grow, even pass the time. Then there’s seniors Chandler Kelly and Dylan Owens. Maybe school takes the form of a competition for them, or one of the aforementioned roles, or all of them. What’s certain is that both of these young men were regarded as the top contenders for valedictorian and salutatorian of the senior class. For Owens, being in the running for valedictorian wasn’t something he planned. “I can think back to middle school. I remember my parents used to say stuff like, ‘Oh, you could be valedictorian,’ and I used to be like ‘Nah, there’s too many smart people in my class, I could never do that’ and I sort of had that mentality,” Owens explained. “Around sophomore year, that was when the top 10 wasn’t all tied from ﬁrst to ninth anymore. I think I was like second or third and I was like, ‘Oh maybe I could be valedictorian.’ ” Believe it or not, this wasn’t planned on Kelly’s end, either. “I just wanted to do my best,” Kelly said. “I took AP Chem as a sophomore and that didn’t really help my GPA. It was before the 10-point scale so it kinda hurt me a little bit. But I took it because it was what I wanted to do and I like the AP teachers. It kind of worked out. (Human Geography) was a great class to take and that was AP, so I’m glad I got to do that.”

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Chandler Kelly (left) and Dylan Owens engage in a good-spirited round of arm wrestling upon the intellectual foundations they hold dear. It was a battle until the end to see which senior would earn the title of valedictorian. When two or more people actively contest for a title that only one may receive, people usually call it a competition. In the case of Owens and Kelly, however, it depends on who you ask. “It is a competition at the top,” Owens said. “We’re all friends, but I think about all the classes Chandler’s taking and Lake (Lige) is taking and the classes I need to take.” Kelly sees it in a slightly different light. “It’s not really (a rivalry), I just do my best. I’m not really very competitive, I’m just doing me and doing my thing,” he said. Owens’ rise to the top with his studies has been coupled with his senior status on the wildly successful First Flight soccer team. For

some, having to keep up with both a sport and various AP classes sounds far too daunting a task, but Owens believes that his grades were better during the season. “During the soccer season I’d come home and do my homework and go to bed, and the days I didn’t have practice I’d come home and watch TV and have a snack. I guess I was less focused,” Owens said. Despite the season having now ended (on quite the high note), he still works hard to keep his grades up, though both Owens and Kelly agree that senior year has been their easiest. “This is my favorite year by far because of my class schedule,” Kelly said. “I’m taking Computer Science with Mrs. (Nancy) Stevens,

and I like Mrs. Stevens, COA online and a free third, so that’s a lot of free time, and I’ve got AP Environmental, which I’ve been trying to get for two years, and Stats with Ms. (Susan) Blackwell and she’s awesome.” Environmental Sciences is a big focus for Kelly. Science is in general. But because of scheduling issues, Kelly wasn’t able to take AP Environmental until this year. It’s not something that bothers him, he said. This love of science drives Kelly’s plans to study civil engineering at New York University. With an “environmental focus because I’m kinda super hippy green energy, kind of,” he reminds us. Owens plans to study at UNC Chapel Hill.

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bragging rights “I’m gonna major in chemistry in college and I feel like that class was kind of the one that inspired me to decide what I wanted to do in college, at least for now,” Owens said. Both Kelly and Owens took Chemistry during their high school careers and have nothing but positive remarks on Ray Richards and the subject. However, the class has become something of a disputed topic. Kelly took Chemistry his sophomore year before North Carolina switched to a 10-point grading scale. Owens took the class after this change. “My 90 in AP Chem was slightly lower than it would’ve been because it was a B then: Now I would’ve gotten an A on the 10-point scale,” Kelly said. “I don’t know what he got, but I’m saying if I had taken it the next year and gotten a 90, it would’ve bumped me up, and we’re a few hundredths apart, so we don’t know if that could’ve caused it.” However, counselor Kyle Eaker was quick to put rumors to bed: “We did (the calculations) in the old grading scale and then the new grading scale and there wasn’t any change. The GPAs in the end, or the ﬁnal, were different, but the actual ranking stayed the same.” Eaker plays a pivotal role in discovering which student is valedictorian and which student is salutatorian. “Mrs. (Susan) Lee was the one who did it prior to me and I just took her position. But at my previous school I had done it before, so it’s not foreign to me,” he said. Eaker explained that the school determined the results differently this year than any year prior. “Manteo, First Flight and Cape

Hatteras all got together and we calculated our valedictorian and salutatorian all at the same time to make sure we were doing it the exact same way,” Eaker said. “We used a program that was written by the IT person at Manteo High School.” The accumulation of Kelly and Owens’ GPAs from freshman year to the third quarter of their senior year was put into the new program, and from there the decision got made. It still took over a month for the results to be revealed. And the winner was ...? Owens achieved valedictorian and Kelly is the salutatorian. “I’m really excited to be valedictorian because I feel like all the hard work from high school has paid off,” Owens said. “Congrats to Chandler, too, for salutatorian. I feel like he deserved (the No. 1 ranking) too.” The valedictorian and salutatorian both get an opportunity to speak at graduation, and both Kelly and Owens have thought a little bit about what they plan to say. “There’s just little bits and pieces of what I want to say,” Kelly said. “I want to make it positive, togetherness. It’s not looking good politically, so I’m trying to just make it a happy time, not a time to trash anybody.” Owens stated that he’s got some ideas, it’s all just about putting pen to paper. In the end, Kelly and Owens have had remarkable academic success throughout high school and both should be proud of their accomplishments. Besides, in the end – this isn’t even the end. Senior Mack Doebler can be reached at doeblerma0930@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

Spore shines through with artistic abilities By Suzanne Harrison Staff Writer

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hen Katy Spore first picked up a paintbrush, she was 5 years old and standing in the middle of an AC Moore. Flash forward 13 years, and the senior can’t picture her life without art. “I probably would have not had a high school career without art,” Spore said. “The arts have given me so many memories to look back on.” Spore’s high school career does not just include her artwork. She has been playing clarinet in band since middle school and performing in theater since ninth grade. “I was in freshman year, and I didn’t really have an activity after school – sports did not work out for me,” Spore said. “And since I was in art and band, I figured, ‘Why not do the other side of the arts?’ ” Spore was determined to try out for the school’s musical, but in the weeks leading up to it, her nerves started to arise. She confided in her brother, Jimmy, a junior at the time, who had a solution to help her conquer these fears. “My brother and I literally said ‘let’s do it together’ and so we auditioned for ‘Legally Blonde,’ ” Spore said. “I’m pretty sure our auditions were really, really bad, but it ended up being so much fun and I got a pretty good ensemble part.” While Spore enjoys the musical and theatrical arts, she considers graphic design her true calling. She will be attending N.C. State in the fall to major in it. “I chose graphic design because

Photo by Mary Pat Thompson/Nighthawk News Senior Katy Spore shows off her artistic abilities by sketching a portrait in art class with intense detail and dedication. Spore plans to pursue a degree in graphic design. I know technology will play such a large role in the future and I feel like there will be more job opportunities with graphic design, and I wanted to use my art skills in a unique way,” Spore said. Spore was also accepted to Parsons School of Design, yet she felt something was missing from Parsons after her N.C. State interview. “The interview process at N.C. State seemed more selective and serious, and while Parsons is of course this world-renowned school, both of my brothers went to N.C. State, so I was familiar with the environment,” Spore said. Spore will be attending college with her brother for a year and a half, but said there is no competi-

tion between the two of them. “I’m very excited because we are nothing but supportive of one another, and we are studying different majors, so you can’t really compare us,” Spore said. When reflecting on her years at First Flight, Spore realizes how lucky she was to find art and the arts programs. “Art has helped me come out of my shell and truly express myself in ways I could not do before,” Spore said. “When looking back on my high school experience, I will remember them the most because they obviously shaped me to be who I am.” Junior Suzanne Harrison can be reached at harrisonsu0716@daretolearn.org. Katy Spore hovers over her newest project for her AP Art class as her Chuck Close self-portrait looks on in the background. Spore has participated in fine arts programs at First Flight since freshman year. Photo by Mary Pat Thompson/ Nighthawk News summer / / 2017

From Weeping Angel to warrior maiden, Pharr’s cosplay talent shines

By Jayne Walker Staff Writer

osplay: the practice of dressing up as a character from a movie, show, book or video game. Caroline Pharr is a senior who has a passion for cosplay that started in eighth grade. “My mom was very supportive of me, so she bought me my ﬁrst costume as a Christmas present,” Pharr said. Later on, Pharr started learning how to make the costumes on her own. “Without sounding too pretentious, I thought I could do it bet-

ter,” she said. “I saw people making their own and it blew my mind. I thought, ‘I have to do this.’ ” Making the costumes by hand is not easy or quick, but she loves what she does. “My mentor, Jackie Craft, and I ﬁnished my chestpiece for my senior project in four days (26 hours),” Pharr explained. “The amount of time you spend making the costume depends on the quality of work you want to produce.” Pharr did her senior project on “Is Cosplay a Visual or Theatrical Art?” and presented in costume. The cosplay community on the Outer Banks is small and there aren’t many things for cosplayers

to do in their costumes. However, there are several conventions and events as close as Chesapeake, Virginia. These conventions are for cosplayers of all skill level. You can simply hang out with friends or enter your handmade costume in the contests they hold. Pharr has won a couple of awards at these events. “The ﬁrst cosplay I ever made, which was a Weeping Angel from ‘Doctor Who,’ won best in show when I was 15,” she said. “I also won best in the video game category the year after.” Getting into costume can be very tedious, or very easy. “It depends on the costume and how many aspects it has,” Pharr said. “My Weeping Angel costume took about two hours to fully get into. I had to cover my arms and face with makeup and put on a hair mold.” During her years at FFHS, Pharr has worked with the G.O.S Club to bring aspects of cosplay to the rest of the student body. “Cosplay is for everyone. You don’t have to look exactly like the character for it to look good,”

Pharr said. “My advice to someone just starting out is to find something you really like and recreate it. Don’t be afraid of not getting it right the first time, and creativity is very important.” Pharr will be attending UNC Chapel Hill and is considering majoring in environmental health with the idea of perhaps a career in water management. While she would love to pursue cosplay as a career – “If I can find a way to support myself and my family, heck yeah!” she exclaimed – Pharr also loves science and history and is interested in seeing what she can do with those. For sure, Pharr will find a larger cosplay community during her college years. “Luckily for me, the Raleigh area has a bunch of conventions that go on year round and I look forward to going to all of them,” she said. “I plan on focusing mainly on academia, but Chapel Hill has a huge community of artistic people. I’m sure there’s something, but if not I look forward to making my own.” Sophomore Jayne Walker can be contacted at walkerja0213@daretolearn.org.

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Photo submitted by Caroline Pharr Caroline Pharr models her elaborate cosplay creation she handmade for her collection. The senior has had a passion for cosplay since eighth grade, when she won best-in-show at a convention. NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

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A fighter, inside and out

By Sarah Skinner Opinions Editor

’m pretty much an open book,” senior Brady Creef says, leaning back and flashing a smile. “Everyone pretty much knows everything about me.” Not surprising – Creef, at 18, has already become somewhat of a “public figure.” He’s president of the SGA, vice president of Model UN, and involved with a dozen other school activities. He’s a staple in the crowd (and on top of it, crowdsurfing) at both sporting events and dances. And, with an acceptance to UNC-Chapel Hill, he’s poised to follow his passion: entering the sphere of politics beyond the student level. “Of course, the ultimate goal is to become President,” Creef said. “I’m a political science major.” However, his life hasn’t been a series of yearbook shots and Homecoming nominations. He’s had to deal with serious medical complications every day for years. “I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in eighth grade,” Creef said. “I have to go every nine weeks to get an infusion.” Crohn’s disease is a gastrointestinal disorder that affects the entire digestive tract. Symptoms include ulcers, stomach problems and intolerance to certain foods. Regular infusions of certain medications can alleviate the effects, but there is no cure. Overcoming this diagnosis was hard on Creef for a number of reasons. “Well, the easy thing to say is that I’ve had to change my eating habits, to go out of my way to make sure that I’m healthy,” Creef said. “But I think that it’s installed this mentality in me – I know that I’m a fighter, that I can overcome challenges that other people would just give up on.” These challenges don’t end with the direct effects of his condition. Crohn’s disease can have medical complications beyond the intestinal tract, and can affect height and weight in

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Senior Brady Creef – a black belt – shows off his impressive taekwondo skills that he has acquired over the years. Martial arts has helped Creef learn to power through difficult situations and is just one of many ways he has overcome the odds. those with early-onset cases. “Clearly, I am very scrawny,” Creef said. “I think that people automatically assume, ‘Oh, he’s short and looks like a toothpick. He can’t actually do anything.’ ” In reality, Creef is a first-degree black belt with years of training in taekwondo. “Yes, I can break boards,” Creef said enthusiastically. “I am strong on the inside and on the outside.” And rightly so: Politics is an unforgiving game. In order to be successful, Creef will have to handle whatever is thrown at him, be it a spinning heel kick or the latest poll numbers. His experiences have strongly impacted his beliefs, as well as his goals of what he aims to accomplish. “I’m definitely very liberal on the political spectrum,” Creef said. “I want to focus on issues that make me a progressive leader. All people want is to be treated equally.” In terms of health care, this idea hits close

to home. Crohn’s disease falls into the category of medical conditions that may no longer be covered under the latest health care reform bill. “With Crohn’s, medicine is very expensive,” Creef said. “It is not cheap. The medicine that I have to take is over $10,000 a bag. If not for my family’s insurance, we would have to pay that out of pocket.” Despite the barriers between Creef and his goals, he has never stopped fighting for his dreams. Aiding him has been a rock-solid confidence in what he can accomplish, built from every challenge he’s met along the way. “I’ve had to constantly overcome myself to others. I don’t look like your typical bro. But I can go toe to toe academically, mentally and physically,” Creef said. And perhaps, someday, he won’t look like our typical President, either. Senior Sarah Skinner can be reached at skinnersa0619@daretolearn.org.

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Vlahos tastes a slice of life By Alex Rodman Staff Writer

s 6-year-old Yanni Vlahos lounged in the back of his parents’ restaurant, the Tomato Patch, he dreamt of crisp, golden pizza. Hoping to satisfy his hunger, Vlahos snuck into the kitchen and began to prepare himself a snack. Hovering over the raw dough, he meticulously placed each piece of pepperoni onto the bare crust before blanketing his masterpiece with a layer of fresh marinara. Giddy with excitement – the young chef failed to realize that he had assembled his pizza in an unorthodox way. “I used to go into our restaurant and try to make pizzas, but I’d put the pepperonis on before the cheese so it would just be a marinara sauce and pepperoni pizza,” Vlahos said with a laugh. “When I was little, my parents didn’t want me back in the kitchen, so I would sneak back there, and now they kind of need me back there.” The senior has been exposed to the world of cooking since his childhood. An upbringing in the restaurant business aided Vlahos in his decision to attend Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, and obtain a bachelor’s degree in science – specializing in culinary arts. “It was around my junior year and I had no idea what I was going to do,” Vlahos said. “I’ve been around cooking all of my life. My dad’s a really good chef at his restaurant, the Tomato Patch in Corolla, and my mom cooks all the time at home. I was like, ‘I might as well stick with what my

dad does and open up my own restaurant.’ I figured I should go to culinary school and learn how to cook first.” After Johnson & Wales, Vlahos hopes to open his very own establishment on the Outer Banks, one that he believes the community seriously lacks: a genuine burger restaurant. “I like the Outer Banks,” Vlahos said. “I don’t know why people are always like, ‘I can’t wait to get off this beach.’ I understand that they want to get a different perspective on other places to live, but I don’t know, I just like it. The climate, the people; it’s just small, and we don’t have that good of a burger place down here, so...” With promising plans for the future, Vlahos is excited to further develop his culinary techniques over the next four years. “(I am looking forward to) getting a higher education in cooking with different techniques and stuff and a better knowledge of business management, too,” he explained. “And definitely the people. New scenery, new people. I like making friends.” While he enjoys the satisfaction that accompanies cooking for his friends and family, Vlahos hopes culinary school will enable him the opportunity to cook and connect with like-minded individuals. “I cook for a couple of my friends,” Vlahos said. “They like it, mostly the girls – the guys don’t really care. I woo the girls with the cooking. (What I like most) is just the reactions of when you serve people their food. When they like it, it makes you feel really good.” Junior Alex Rodman can be reached at rodmanal0704@daretolearn.org.

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NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Senior Yanni Vlahos prepares a delicious pizza during his culinary arts class. Vlahos will continue to further his culinary career next year at Johnson & Wales University.

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Ceydi Zavala-Paz was awarded a full-ride scholarship to Eastern Connecticut State University. She was presented this award at Senior Recognition Night on May 16 in the FFHS auditorium. Photo by Amy Wrenn/ Nighthawk News

For Ceydi, scholarship is a dream come true

By Mary Pat Thompson Editor-in-Chief

he restaurant was silent except for the faint murmur of customers chatting and the soft whirring of the Frosty machine. Ceydi Zavala-Paz was standing behind the cash register at the Kill Devil Hills’ Wendy’s, where she had been working after school each day. She looked out at the expansive windows that display North Croatan Highway, watching the bright lights of cars driving by. Sometimes she’d think about her situation – her mom, her stepfather – and wonder what her future was going to be like after graduation. And almost every night, usually around 8, she’d be greeted by ambulance lights reﬂected in the restaurant’s windows. “That deﬁnitely got my attention. It captures everyone’s attention!” Zavala-Paz exclaimed. “They would come in to eat and they were always so nice. I guess in my situation, I didn’t know what I was gonna do. So I’m like, ‘I need to think fast.’ ” From those interactions, Zavala-Paz was set on becoming an EMT. She could take the

Included are excerpts from Ceydi ZavalaPaz’s personal essays for her TheDream.us scholarship application. training course the summer after graduation. Although she really wanted to go to college, she thought it would never be a possibility for her. Not with her mom. Not with her current performance in school. So she took that dream and put it in the back of her mind. Maybe in the future. But right now? No. ---I was overcome with joy from the thought of ﬁnally being able to be with my mother. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world for having such a young and beautiful mother. I truly did not feel like I deserved her. She was too perfect in my eyes. I remember getting ready to get off our bus and asking my aunt which one was my mom. I ran to her arms as soon as we arrived in Texas. ---Zavala-Paz was born in Honduras in 1998. When she was 3 months old, Hurricane Mitch left the country in shambles, killing 7,000 in Honduras alone. Her mother, although glad to

be alive, was struggling in such a poverty-stricken area and immigrated to the United States, leaving Zavala-Paz with her grandparents. Her mother worked three jobs in Texas just to survive. In April of 2005, as Zavala-Paz was on the verge of turning 7, her mother convinced her to move to Houston to be with her. They lived together there for eight years until a move to the Outer Banks just before the start of high school. “High school I started very strong, but after a while – all of these things that had happened were starting to catch up to me,” Zavala-Paz said. “Sometimes when you have things happen to you, you want to believe that they didn’t happen. You put them in the back of your head. I had done that my whole life. And, I don’t know, it becomes overwhelming.” ---I remember when I was 9 and I ﬁrst witnessed one of her episodes. It was the ﬁrst time she was admitted to a bipolar rehab center. It was a confusing time for me. I sat in the waiting room next to my uncle, and he let me use his phone because he felt bad for me. I used all his data to look at pictures of Justin Bieber and listen to my favorite songs.

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I didn’t understand then, but her mental illness would have a huge impact on my life. Her disorder has put a strain on our relationship. She makes me confused and feel like I am losing my mind, so I keep my distance. I am still learning, and although I try to understand her behavior and mood swings, it’s still hard finding the right way to interact with her – I fail often. ---Living in such an unstable environment, Zavala-Paz didn’t have much hope for the future. It also put a strain on her self-confidence. “I can’t just pretend like things didn’t happen when they did. I became really depressed and really anxious all the time,” Zavala-Paz said. “It really started affecting my performance in school. I wouldn’t show up; slowly but progressively my attendance was really bad and my grades started slipping. It’s not that I didn’t care. I cared. It’s hard to explain, you know. But all of that was affecting my grades and I was really confused on what to do after high school was over.” It all changed when she received an email from college adviser Seth Rose. He sent her information about TheDream.us scholarship, which offers a full ride to certain undocumented students in order for them to be able to attend college. Excited by the opportunity, Zavala-Paz quickly started the application. It required many things, but focused on essays written about overcoming adversity and future education and career goals. She started writing the essays, but soon faced an extreme wave of doubt.

“I was really discouraged by my grades and my attendance, and I’m like, ‘I’m not gonna get this. I could try and give it a shot, but if I get my hopes up and then I don’t get it, then it might be devastating for me,’ ” Zavala-Paz said. So she stopped working on the application altogether. Even so, Rose continued contacting her about the scholarship. “I think I learned a lesson in humility with working with Ceydi. She really surprised me in the best way. You can make assumptions when you’re working with students and I think mine came from the fact that she generally was shy around me,” Rose said. “I didn’t give up on her per se, but I just took that to be – and I don’t think a lot of teachers admit this – but you take slights. Eventually, she sent an email back saying, ‘I’d like to apply for this scholarship.’ She’s just so mature and intelligent and thinks of things as somebody with the experiences of a 30-year-old might.” So despite the lack of self-confidence, despite the fear of being rejected, Zavala-Paz finished her scholarship application. Now she only had to wait until the last week in March to hear back. ---I still haven’t healed from everything or solved all my underlying issues, but I’m trying. It’s an everyday battle. Fortunately, I know I am getting better as time passes and I learn more about myself. I’m determined to get my essence back, little by little, and I want to continue my education because it’s the one thing that will help me grow.

I want to help people, but I can’t do that without helping myself first. ---The possibility of going away to college, of having a real home, was overwhelming. Zavala-Paz had lived in two countries – Honduras and the United States – but never really knew where she belonged. “I don’t feel like I’m from here or from there. I feel like I’m in this weird state,” she said. “If anything, I appreciate this country and everything it’s provided me with, because I don’t know what would have happened if I’d stayed over there.” But she’d never really had a place to call home. That is, until she received an email from TheDream.us and read the word “Congratulations” at the top of the page. Come next fall, Zavala-Paz will be attending Eastern Connecticut State University on a full-ride scholarship. “It still hasn’t completely set in. I’ve never been to Connecticut. Never. I don’t know anyone who lives over there,” she said giddily. Zavala-Paz may not know exactly what her future holds, but one thing is for sure – she wants to help people overcome their problems once she has overcome her own. “I’ll get to start fresh. That might be terrifying for some people but I look forward to that,” she said. “I hope that once I’m in college, when I am away from everyone I have ever known, that I will be able to really think for myself and build my own life.” Senior Mary Pat Thompson can be reached at thompsonma1001@daretolearn.org.

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Royal FFHS family: King and Prince

By Meghan Savona Staff Writer

t’s not all that often that a coach can watch a player grow from a kid who can barely throw a football into an intelligent player who runs the game. Likewise, not all players are lucky enough to have a coach who doubles as a mentor. Nighthawks coach Jim Prince and senior John King, however, have been fortunate enough to enjoy this experience. Prince has been King’s football coach for four years now, but has been a role model for much longer. The two initially bonded when King began spending a lot of time at his older brother’s football practices. “We’ve known each other since my brother was in high school. I used to go to some of their practices and our relationship has developed since then,” King said. At age 6, King could barely ﬁt a football in his hand. He was just beginning to learn the game, but nonetheless had an obvious passion for it. Prince nursed that passion from an early age to mold King into the player – and person – he is today. “I’ve seen King develop as a player and a man, too. He never pulls back from a challenge,” Prince said. “He always ﬁnds a way to be successful and win.” Sometimes being successful doesn’t necessarily mean winning the game. King has been an integral part of the Nighthawks’ progression throughout his four years on the varsity team. The team dynamic is better because of the close relationship that King

and Prince have. Prince helped the players form a strong team bond and a sense of respect for each other, while King’s influence solidified the “I have your back and you have mine” dynamic. Knowing that they have a coach and a player there for them has taught the football team to work harder after a loss and to celebrate together after a hardearned win. “When we beat Manteo my sophomore year on a game-winning field goal, I remember that the first thing I did was go over and hug Coach Prince. I just remember it was the first thing I thought – go hug Coach Prince,” King said. Having such a close relationship to Prince pushed King to be the best he could be. Sports-wise, King wanted to impress him more than any other regular coach: “I wanted to be the best player, teammate and person possible,” King said. But Prince taught King something more important than how to hold a football or score a touchdown – he has taught him life lessons. “He taught me how to be a man and how to stand up for what I think is right,” King said. While King will definitely miss playing under the bright lights and cheering crowd at the football field, the thing he will miss most is the team and Coach Prince – who he considers to be his family. “It’s like losing a part of your life,” King said. “My whole life has been all about sports and this team and now I’m going to be graduating and that part of me will be gone.” Junior Meghan Savona can be reached at savoname0701@daretolearn.org.

Photos by Michaela Kelly and Amy Wrenn/Nighthawk News Football coach Jim Prince (left) and senior John King enjoy some of their final moments together off the field before graduation. The duo has forged a lifetime of memories on the football field. Below, King takes a knee and anxiously awaits his re-entry into this season’s game against Currituck.

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From band camp to boot camp

By Caroline Jenkins Staff Writer

magine standing on the bright green, impeccable lawn of the White House. Your ears are immediately captured by the harmonious music being played for none other than the President himself. The performers are the best of the best and come from all parts of the nation to audition for a role in the United States military band. Soon to be one of the many of the auditioners is senior Brandon Beugless, whose passion for music goes well beyond the classroom. Throughout the country and the

world, Army bands play a vital role, whether providing musical support for deployed troops, entertaining civilians, or serving as musical ambassadors of the Army, according to goarmy.com In seventh grade, Beugless started out on trombone, then switched to bass guitar when he got to high school. From that point on, he showed how musically gifted he was with his instrument. Band director Bob Ebert has taught Beugless for four years and is extremely proud to see him continuing to pursue music out of high school. “I think it would be mutually beneficial to them and to him. He

definitely has the ability,” Ebert said. “He’s got a really good feel for his instrument and he picks things up very, very quickly.” Beugless plans on attending UNC Greensboro to play upright bass before beginning his adventure with the Army band, but no matter where he is, Beugless will thrive. “I like it so much and it just works with me,” Beugless said. Many things appeal to Beugless about the military band, including the retirement age. “I like the fact that I’m going to be traveling while playing music,” Beugless said. “Also, in the military you can potentially retire at 40, and that’s very attractive to me.” The boot camp aspect of basic training doesn’t seem to bother Beugless, and he said his former lifeguard experience will aid him. “When you go into it you have to go through boot camp. (As a military band member), that’s

the last thing you have to do that’s ‘military related.’ There’s no required service unless things change, which is a possibility,” Beugless explained. “I’m sure I’ll be able to do it.” Beugless certainly has the talent and drive to play for the President – or whomever else might be entertained by the Army band. “I appreciate his musical intellect in general. He’s very smart musically, and I really enjoy that about him. He’s got a tremendous talent,” Ebert said. It’s the only path Beugless thought about pursuing. “It’s definitely a passion,” he said. “I’m not really good at anything else, so I picked music. I would’ve hated to do all this stuff with music in high school and then not have gone further with it.” Sophomore Caroline Jenkins can be reached at jenkinsca0616@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Amy Wrenn/Nighthawk News Senior Brandon Beugless pulls at the thick strings strung across his bass guitar. The instrument has been a crucial part of his teen years and he hopes to continue his musical journey as an adult. Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

Hobbs following passion for family and faith 3,000 miles west

By Beverly Murry Business Manager

estled between scenic mountains and the Sacramento River lies Redding, California: a bustling town full of cheerful and lively people. Come August, senior Victoria Hobbs will leave the beach she calls home and make the 3,000-mile trek to attend Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry. In lieu of getting a degree as many high school graduates go on to do, Hobbs will be taking a year of faith-based classes – a theme throughout her life that has always been close to her heart. “I never really saw myself going to an academic college for the first year after high school, but I have a friend who moved down here who went out there (Bethel) for school,” Hobbs said. “It seemed to be a really good school, so I went out there and looked at it and knew immediately that’s where I wanted to be.” While attending Bethel won’t count toward a college degree, it will create a deeper connection to Hobbs’ faith as well as help her on her intended career path. After Bethel, Hobbs plans on attending a four-year school to study psychology. Hobbs’ decision to study psychology is due to her lifelong passion for mental health awareness. She even focused her senior project on the topic. “I think going to a year at Bethel and having growth in my faith and then going to study psychology in a faith-based school would really be influential on my life, and important as a career, but helping people has just always been where I wanted to be,” Hobbs said. Hobbs was introduced to Christianity at a young age, and it quickly became an important part of her life. Her family’s faith and her own strong faith shepherded her decisions for attending Bethel before college. “My dad is a pastor and we spent a lot of years traveling when I was little, so I had a lot of influence in my faith. It’s always been something that is important to me and I definitely think it’s helped me be more mature in my decisions,” Hobbs recalled fondly. “I just love the

Photo by Amy Wrenn/Nighthawk News Senior Victoria Hobbs proudly shows off her Bethel shirt and graduation cap as she contemplates an exciting future that includes a focus on ministry in California before pursuing her four-year degree. atmosphere that’s out there, faith-wise.” Earlier this year on a sunny April day, the inaugural Suicide Awareness Walk took place at FFHS, organized by Hobbs as part of her senior project. The event featured five families who had lost relatives to suicide, allowing them a safe space to heal and open up about their painful losses. Hobbs raised over $600 to donate locally to a suicide prevention cause. Much like her faith, prevention and awareness of suicide are causes that have characterized Hobbs’ life. “I know I have struggled with a lot of suicidal stuff personally,” Hobbs said. “I had a really good friend attempt suicide and I just know a lot of people in our community that have struggled with mental health issues.”

Inspired by her family, religion and ceaseless appetite for spreading mental health awareness, Hobbs feels ready for a change of scenery. Fast-paced classes and new faces await Hobbs at Bethel, where she can intertwine many of her passions. However, Hobbs attributes her family overall for helping her find her place, even though that place will be thousands of miles away. “We’re really close and they’re really supportive and push me to go out of my comfort zone, and definitely moving to California is out of my comfort zone,” Hobbs said. “I got out there and it really hits you like, ‘Oh, I’m supposed to be here.’ ” Junior Beverly Murry can be reached at murrybe0316@daretolearn.org.

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From Ziggy Stardust to Major Tom, Bowie inspires Wyant By Arabella Saunders Features Editor

rowsing the biography section of the Island Bookstore, the shopper is greeted by a silhouetted Nina Simone nestled under the title, “What happened, Miss Simone?” Situated next to the tribute is a black-and-white David Bowie biography simply titled “Bowie.” Eager to know more about each artist, she hesitates before reaching for Bowie, his heterochromatic eyes peering out at her. She turns the book in her hand to find rainbow lettering emblazoned on the back cover — “David Bowie had more ‘70s sex than you had.” Intrigued and slightly taken aback, she proceeds to the checkout, “Bowie” in hand. “It was kind of a coin toss at the time,” senior Vivian Wyant said. “I stood there for a moment and I was like, ‘I think I’m gonna go Bowie because he recently died, I wanna know more about him.’ ” Returning home, Wyant immediately dove into her find. With Bowie’s recent death, she had been itching to learn more about the musical icon for weeks. “I hate to say that I didn’t get into him until after he died, but that’s the truth,” Wyant said. “When they announced it, it hit me. I was like, ‘I’ve heard of him, but I don’t know him.’ So I started listening to some of his songs, mainly big hits that everybody knows. I just kind of went from there.” Within a month, Wyant had devoured the biography, soaking up every detail while listening to various Bowie albums and viewing multiple documentaries. After being assigned a color theory project in Art 3, Wyant began to entertain the idea of Bowie-inspired art. “When it came around to the color theory painting for Art 3, I was like, ‘What better thing to do for this than him?’ He was known as the chameleon of music,” Wyant said. “That’s when I also found out that I honestly really just like doing art about him.” As Wyant’s knowledge of Bowie expanded, so did her collection of Bowie-themed projects. She carried her passion with her into senior year, basing her collection of AP Art concentrations off of the

many phases of Bowie. “I started off with Ziggy Stardust. I did Halloween Jack from his Diamond Dogs tour. You’ve got the Thin White Duke, which was around ‘Station to Station,’ at the height of his cocaine addiction, if you will. You’ve got the Goblin King from the ‘Labyrinth,’ ” Wyant said. “Just the different personas. There’s so many and you could definitely find inspiration from each.” Not only has Bowie served as a driving force behind her artwork, his wide range of music and various personas have deeply influenced Wyant’s personal life. “Honestly, growing up, I don’t think I ever developed my own personality,” Wyant said. “Over spurts of time, I’ve become really obsessed over something and I’ve leeched onto that to become my character, almost. Just getting into his music and realizing how diverse it is, I think it’s really helped. I’m finding myself by listening to the music and doing art.” Although she was accepted to Western Carolina University, Wyant plans to continue to explore her newfound interests next fall on the Outer Banks. While expanding her range of art is a definite, she’s also considering attending classes at COA. “I got accepted into Western and honestly I would love to go out there, but I never got the chance to go and tour. I don’t really have that much money to my own name, so honestly, my plans as of now are just staying here. Maybe work a bit: Work on art and try to build up a name for myself here, and possibly start classes at COA.” Her future plans may not be set in stone, but Wyant is convinced that if it werent for that afternoon in the Island Bookstore, Bowie wouldn’t play such a significant role in her life today. “If I wouldn’t have picked up that book, I think I’d be somewhat into Bowie, but not even as close to how much I am now,” Wyant said. “That was definitely something that skyrocketed it. It wasn’t until reading that book that I fell in love with his character, fell in love with his life.” Junior Arabella Saunders can be reached at saundersar0214@daretolearn.org.

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

Photos by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Senior Vivian Wyant highlights the many personas of David Bowie through her AP Art concentrations. Below, the artist designs a Bowie-inspired trashcan at the Artrageous festival in May.

The faces behind the shattered

Photo by Amy Wrenn/Nighthawk News Senior James Gillis repairs a Chromebook during his fourth-period class in the media center. Gillis, along with three other seniors, serves the school as a tech assistant.

By Dair McNinch Staff Writer

tairs, power drills, rubber cement, bodily ﬂuids and lack of attention — these are a few of the ways Chromebooks at First Flight High School are destroyed on a daily basis. With nearly 800 students at FFHS, it takes a select few to maintain the mass of computers here. What seems like a completely foreign process to most people is an everyday kind of deal for seniors James Gillis, Aung Oo, Avery Daniels and Paul Seyler, the masterminds involved in Chromebook repair. Although they work toward the same goal, their usual duties all vary between the group. “I have to pick up Chromebooks that have been repaired and unpack them back here to get them ready to be turned back in,” Daniels said. “I also do a lot of organization for the Chromebooks and other stuff in the library as well.” Gillis tends to work on the more technical side of things.

“My usual day-to-day thing is to run the circulation desk in the library, replace Chromebook batteries and re-issue Chromebooks,” Gillis said. Oo’s tasks take on a blend between Daniels’ organizational jobs and Gillis’ technology repair. “I would generally check out daily uses, reboot and repair Chromebooks, and organize books and run errands,” Oo said. So is being a tech genius a prerequisite for taking the technology assistants class? Not exactly. Many enter with scarce knowledge of computers. “Honestly, I’m still pretty much learning everything, but coming in here at ﬁrst I knew little to nothing about computers,” Oo said. Gillis’ skills have improved from working in the media center, but he certainly did not start out that way. “I’ve only been good at this kind of stuff since late last year, and that only came with a whole lot of trial and error,” Gillis said. Besides gaining experience in dealing with library systems and

summer / / 2017

screens computers, these seniors have also had other payoffs for the time and work they’ve put into the class. “I really like to sort and organize things, so this class gives me a chance to do that and be helping people out at the same time,” Daniels said. For Oo, the opportunity this class gave him could not have been better at the time. After moving here from Myanmar, he was having a hard time adjusting until he came into the media center. “I got to know Ms. (Susan) Sawin and Mr. (Steve) Blankenburg on a more personal level, which helped me with my social skills since I had just moved here,” Oo said. “I also learned to sort books and ﬁx computers, which really helped me with my organizational skills, something I really needed then.” Despite all the differences between these seniors, there’s one thing that they can all agree on. “This is a strange group of people,” Gillis said. Daniels had the same idea. “Working in here isn’t really like

Photo by Amy Wrenn/Nighthawk News Seniors (from left) Avery Daniels, Paul Seyler, Aung Oo and James Gillis gather around in the back room of the media center to work on student Chromebooks during their technology assistant class period. working in groups in other classes,” she said. “We all like to make fun of each other. It’s deﬁnitely a one-ofa-kind group of people.” Strange group or not, they’ve proven they can get stuff done.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

“Having them here has been a blessing,” Blankenburg said. “Not only can they pretty much run the place, but they constantly go above and beyond what’s expected.” So the next time you’re in

the media center checking out a Chromebook or maybe looking for a book, keep their hard work in mind. Sophomore Dair McNinch can be reached at mcninchle1121@daretolearn.org.

Gap years, military service offer alternatives to college

By Kristen Applebaum Staff Writer

f jumping into college right away sounds scary, there’s nothing to worry about. According to a survey conducted by the American Gap Association, about 30,000 to 40,000 students each year decide to take a year off between high school and college. With all the pressure to graduate high school and move on to a good college, it’s not surprising that senior year can get a little stressful. While many people believe that attending college is their only choice to be successful, life after high school is full of opportunities and options. “College isn’t for everybody,” counselor Lisa Wheless said. “For some people, they really learn about themselves during that gap year.” If someone is interested in taking a gap year, it is suggested that they go online and ﬁgure out exactly what it is and what it could involve, and if a college they’re looking into allows for gap years. There are some colleges and universities that will pay for a student to take a gap year to either work, volunteer or have an internship somewhere. Senior Annie Hathaway is planning on taking a gap year to earn some money so she can buy a car and save up for her ﬁrst year of college. “I might travel too, I want to see places,” Hathaway said.

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Some seniors, like Mason Wassler, plan a life of military service instead of heading to college. Hathaway has already decided how to further her education, speciﬁcally, in ﬁlm studies. “I’m going to get my basics at St. Petersburg College in Florida and then transfer to Eckerd College, which is also in St. Petersburg,” Hathaway said. “I’ve always been a homebody, so to be able to be out on my own would be a good discovery.”

She hopes to take advantage of the year off school and learn more about herself. A few students decide that entering the military is a better fit for them. An average of one to two First Flight students joins the Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy or Coast Guard each year. If a student shows any interest in the joining the military, the counselors work to help them talk to recruiters and learn as much as they can about what they might want to do. “You always want to arm yourself with information, so the first thing we suggest is to talk to somebody in the military, a recruiter, and get as much information as you possibly can,” Wheless said. There are plenty of benefits that come with joining the military. Immediate job security, health insurance, and retirement benefits are examples; however, there is always the possibility of getting called into combat. Taking some time off from school can be beneficial to some people because they get a chance to really decide whether or not they want to go to college. “You can meet some really incredible people during a year of traveling or working,” Wheless said. “It could be a year to find yourself or a year to mature. A lot of seniors have absolutely no idea what they want to do, so this might give them that opportunity.” Sophomore Kristen Applebaum can be reached at applebaumkr0910@daretolearn.org.

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Skinner’s story to be continued at Cornell By Trinity Harrison Staff Writer

nce August hits, you won’t be seeing senior Sarah Skinner anywhere near the Outer Banks. She will be furthering her education 12 hours away at Cornell University in upstate New York. Cornell has not always been a goal of Skinner’s, but after extensive research, she soon realized it was the school for her. “I actually wanted to go to Duke originally, but I researched and I just kept coming back to it and saying to myself, ‘This is a school that I really like. I like their admission, everything that they offer, and they have really good programs in what I am interested in,’” Skinner said. “I just got to the point where I knew this was where I wanted to be.” The Ivy League university is partnered with the State University of New York system and is known for its top-of-the-line research labs. Skinner plans to double major in English Literature and Psycholo-

gy with a minor in neuroscience. “I think I want to go into psycholinguistics, which is the study of language and language processing, and how that has shaped our society and how we process language on a neurobiological level,” Skinner said. “I have also thought of going into publishing or writing. Or maybe even something that combines the two.” Since she decided early on that she wanted to attend Cornell, Skinner chose to apply as an early decision candidate. She received her acceptance letter in December. “I waited until the night the applications were due to apply because I rewrote my essay about seven times, and what I originally thought I was going to write my essay about was nothing like what I ended up doing it on,” Skinner said. “I actually got into a car accident the week before and I ended up writing my essay about that.” Skinner is excited to experience the research labs at Cornell and, of course, the libraries – she has immersed herself in books for as long as she can remember, and has been a ﬁxture behind the counter at the

Island Bookstore for years. Aside from the academic opportunities the university has to offer, the natural scenery is another aspect she is looking forward to. “The campus is just amazing,” Skinner said. “It’s on top of a bunch of gorges and waterfalls. Where my dorm is, I am going to be walking across where there is

about a 100-foot gorge waterfall every single day – it is beautiful.” The prestigious university has much to offer, and Skinner is eager to take advantage of every opportunity she can ﬁnd in The Empire State. Sophomore Trinity Harrison can be reached at harrisontr0314@ daretolearn.org.

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Photo submitted by Janice Skinner Senior Sarah Skinner browses through a book in Cornell’s A. D. White Library. The ﬁrst time Skinner walked into the building, she was entranced by the atmosphere. ‘I just kind of wanted to stay there forever,’ Skinner said.

Seyler submerges into nuclear engineering

By Cecilia Cortez Staff Writer

aul Seyler was scrolling through his Facebook feed when he noticed a new message awaiting him in his inbox. Little did he know, this would be one of the most influential messages of his life. “The Navy approached me last year because I had a really high ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) score and asked if I was interested in nuclear engineering,” Seyler said. “My recruiter sent me a Facebook message to contact me. I was thinking that it seemed really sketchy that a federal agency is contacting me over Facebook. I initially thought that he was a scammer. I eventually tracked him down to see if he was an actual person, and he was.” Seyler, a senior, plans to attend UNC Charlotte for one year before continuing on to the Navy for another eight years. The recruiter gave Seyler the choice of pursuing any path he wanted in the Navy. However, he heavily suggested nuclear engi-

neering. Many nuclear engineers in the Navy end up working on submarines, which is what Seyler wants to do, a task that involves being underwater for almost a year. “I am not worried about being away from the world for long periods of time,” he said. Although Seyler has chosen to pursue a career in the military, he was not always a huge proponent of it. Looking back, he would have never thought he was going to enter the Navy. “I do not condone war and my political views are that we spend too much money on the military,” he said. “If you would have asked me a year ago today what I was going to do with my life, I would have said video game design.” In light of his decision, Seyler offers some advice for people making their after-high-school plans: “If someone is going to approach you about the military, do not immediately turn them down,” he said. Sophomore Cecilia Cortez can be reached at cortezce1029@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Ben Tran/Nighthawk News Senior Paul Seyler has found a great balance between his passion for science and a surprising career path with the Navy.

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Crook swims toward success By Hannah Ellington Staff Writer

aking up bleary-eyed at 5 a.m. is not for everyone, but for senior swimmer Hunter Crook, it is just his path to success. He goes to school smelling of chlorine, but his dedication to the sport keeps him grounded. A renowned athlete, Crook is known at First Flight as being one of the best swimmers around. Crook has been swimming competitively since he moved to the Outer Banks from Charlotte in fourth grade. “I started swimming because I did not like soccer, which I was doing at the time, so it was just kinda something else to do,” Crook said. “I realized I was kind of good at it, so I stuck to it.” Ever since then, Crook’s life has pretty much revolved around swimming. He swims with the high school as well as the OBX Swim Club. It has been tough. “When you’re going to practice twice a day, waking up at 5 a.m. and getting home at 8 p.m., it can be exhausting,” Crook said. “But I’m glad that I stuck with it just as long as I did because it’s given me a deﬁnite – it’s given me people to be with and it’s given me structure throughout high school that will continue into college.” Crook has made plenty of friends and memories through swimming. “At high school states last year, when I got ﬁrst in the 500, the whole swim team was on the sidelines screaming and cheering for the 500,” Crook said. “That was an awesome race.” Crook will attend the University of Illinois at Chicago as part

Photo by Amy Wrenn/Nighthawk News Senior Hunter Crook will be trading the familiarity of the Atlantic Ocean for the shores of Lake Michigan when he leaves the OBX to compete for the University of Illinois at Chicago’s swimming team. of its NCAA Division I swimming program. He knew he needed to go somewhere outside of North Carolina, and UIC offered the biggest city out of all the colleges he had looked at. Not only does Crook hit the diving boards, but the track as well. He has done about 15 half marathons, with an hour and 40 minutes being his best time. Within the next year, Crook hopes he can run a full marathon. “I’ve always kind of ran on my own – I do the marathons and stuff – but I never ran high school track because I can’t do track and

swimming at the same time,” Crook said. Crook is well rounded with sports as well as academics. Currently, he interns at First Flight elementary and middle schools with the English as a Second Language department. He is an assistant and helps be a translator for the kids. He hopes to incorporate something along these lines later in life. “I want to join the Peace Corps after college and then work overseas with foreign governments and things like that,” Crook said. “I realized there was a lot of messed up things in the world and you

might as well do what you can to help out.” Despite all the early mornings in the pool, Crook has appreciated the many open doors and friendships from swimming that have changed his life, and he looks forward to continuing making memories in the pool through college. “There’s deﬁnitely been support within the swim team from other swimmers, and having friends to do it alongside you has been really great,” he said. Sophomore Hannah Ellington can be reached at ellingtonha1214@ daretolearn.org.

Reliable • Quality Service • Repairs NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

Seniors, it’s time to celebrate EXAMS

1st period on Friday, June 2nd (and 5th period for seniors who don’t have a 1st period class); 2nd period on Monday, June 5th; 3rd period on Tuesday, June 6th; 4th period on Wednesday, June 7th; 5th period on Thursday, June 8th (makeup exams take place Friday, June 9th)

GRADUATION PRACTICE

Friday, June 9, 9:30 a.m. THIS IS MANDATORY. Please arrive at the Warren C. Judge III Football Complex on time. If graduation has been moved inside for rain, meet in front of the gymnasium. Chairs will be removed from rows at practice if students are absent so that rows of seating will be accurate for graduation. You will receive your ﬁve rain tickets at this time.

GRADUATION

Friday, June 9, 7:30 p.m. Arrive no later than 6:45 p.m. with your gown folded neatly over your arm.

Carry your cap and be careful not to lose your tassel. Be dressed and ready. Clothing under your gown should be appropriate to suit the occasion. Students should wear lightweight clothing such as a dress or dress shirt and dress pants. Make sure that clothing under the gown does not show above the collar. PLEASE DO NOT WEAR jeans, shorts, flipflops or sneakers. Meet behind the football stadium bleachers and line up as practiced. Graduation will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m. Anyone arriving late will not be allowed to march. Graduation is a solemn, dignified affair. In order for it to be something that you and your parents are proud of, you should act with dignity, poise and maturity. Punctuality and good personal appearance will complete the package. Of course, all school rules must be maintained. No electronic devices will be allowed. Inappropriate behavior will result in having your diploma held by the principal. Once Dr. Burgess has declared you officially graduated, as a group, you can toss your

caps and celebrate. Just remember, your cap may get lost in the shufﬂe.

DIPLOMAS

During the graduation ceremony, you will only receive your diploma cover. After graduation, you can pick up your actual diploma on the track as you exit the ﬁeld.

OBLIGATIONS

Before you are eligible for graduation, you must fulﬁll your obligations. All of your ﬁnes and fees must be paid; all textbooks, Chromebooks, library books and uniforms must be returned. If you have a question about any of these obligations, please see Mrs. Mitchell in the Counseling Center.

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Photo by Buzzy Staten/Nighthawk News Seniors (from left) Grayson Shier, Tommy Scott, Miller Cipriano, Hannah Montgomery and Bryce Tholen sport the attire from their future school, UNC-Wilmington, on decision day. summer / / 2017

Photos by Buzzy Staten and Ben Tran/Nighthawk News (Top left) During a special event to celebrate Carolina College Advising Corps leader Seth Rose, seniors (from left) Joe Sawin, Byrde Wells and Quentin Bell share some final laughs. At left, seniors Tyler High, Amy Wrenn and Allen Eure show off their Charlotte 49er pride. Above, seniors Brady Creef, Sam Surprenant, Sara Cook and Hailey Schreyer pose with their UNC-Chapel Hill gear.

Photos by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News (Above) Seniors from the Class of 2016 prepare to graduate. Soon, the Class of 2017 will be donning robes in similar fashion. Senior Ashley Chamarro (above right) receives her cap and gown when those items were passed out in the rotunda earlier this spring. Seniors Grayson Shier (left) and Petro Zyka try on their graduation attire for the first time. Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

Nighthawks are preparing to soar

Connecticut: California: Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry Victoria Hobbs Whittier College Raven Ruff

New York: Cornell University Sarah Skinner New York University Chandler Kelly

University of Rochester Luke Potter The New School Mary Pat Thompson

Illinois: University of Illinois at Chicago Hunter Crook

Florida: Miami Dade College John King University of Miami Lake Lige

Alabama: University of Alabama Birmingham Mikayla Peterson

Washington DC: American University Christian Eberhard

Eastern Connecticut State University Ceydi Zavala-Paz Â

Rhode Island: Johnson & Wales University Yanni Vlahos

Virginia: ATI - Norfolk Pablo Pavon Aguilar

Virginia Commonwealth University Jacob Poli Katya Shelton Gabrielle Sullivan Liberty University Emily DelFera

South Carolina: Clemson University Samuel Wills Coker College Carlos Martinez Pinon University of South Carolina Byrde Wells

American Spirit Institution Marley Wiseman Hampden-Sydney University Alan Bell Jonathan Lawson John Whitehead Old Dominion University Tea Lokaj

Military Service: J Austin Michael Mansfield Mason Wassler summer / / 2017

both near and far from the nest

North Carolina: Appalachian State University Taylor Anderson Parker Banks Ian Corbett Avery Daniels Anna De La Cruz Mackenzie Doebler Matthew Drumm Cam Hill Joe Sawin Devin Shumway Chowan University Ryan Gallaccio Ethan Smith Cape Fear Community College Nina Perry Jordyn Seal Brighty Sims East Carolina University Aaron Appleman Megan Ash Ryder Cottrell Brandon Crain Morgan Crank Taylor Crumpler Zane Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Alessio Victoria Gotthelf Natashia Moore Jonathan Scheib Colton Shuler Mary Jeannette Thompson Maggie Torchia Emma Turnage Greensboro College Cullen Smith

College Of The Albemarle Samantha Allen Brianna Borst Trevor Brackenridge Morgan Brinkley Hallie Brothers Erin Burgess Nicole Castano Ashley Chamorro Conrad Cowan Amanda Curles Rylan Daniels Alec Denton Dylan Doak-Wolff Lillie Jo Douglas Sean Doyle Ross Getek Mykenzie Halfin Cory Harris Emily Herrity Lily June Brittany Kusina Samantha Mansfield Conner McManus Nick Metzler Deven Murphy Georgia Romer Nathan Roth Maya Scott Bethany Siefferman TeĂĄ Smith Berkley Sylvia Robert Thomas Universal Technical Institute Luke Maurice Pitt Community College Haley Evans Maggie Farrell

Queens University Cole Basnight

Sandhills Community College Trey Budde Luke Golliday Barton College Joe Haley Central Piedmont Community College Kaitlyn Fernandez Brevard College Gabby Midgett High Point University Erin Limbacher NASCAR Technical Institute Jesus Bautista Angel NC State James Gillis Katy Spore UNC - Charlotte Deana Celaj Daniel Eure Tyler High Conell Holian Paul Seyler Amy Wrenn

Western Carolina Ian Crossman Ethan Gaddy Charles Wright UNC - Chapel Hill Sara Cook Brady Creef Ashley Jones Matthew McKenna Dylan Owens Caroline Pharr Hailey Schreyer Sam Surprenant Victoria Tyson UNC - Greensboro Jennings Baker Brandon Beugless Alana Bissell Westin Keller Petro Zyka UNC - Wilmington Grace Anlauf Miller Cipriano Devyn Dodson Eddie Gowen Brittany Graham Sarah Hayes Samuel Kitchin Olivia Kyger Maddie Lutz Hannah Montgomery Jocelyn Ratti Blaiz Rodman Tommy Scott Grayson Shier Bryce Tholen

Information provided by students to FFHS Counseling Center Graphics by Dagen Gilbreath/Nighthawk News Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

Search for new superintendent nears the end

By Trinity Harrison Staff Writer

fter 17 years, Dare County Schools Superintendent Dr. Sue Burgess announced her retirement. And now everyone wants to know who her replacement will be. In her many years, Burgess accomplished many things that have benefited the DCS school system. During her tenure, she oversaw the creation of First Flight High School, pushed random drug testing into effect and also made high school classes available to middle school students so more high school students could earn college credits, which sets Dare County apart from other districts in the state. “Dare County is really unique and we have really awesome schools, terrific educators and our population is great,” Administrative Intern Diane Childress said. “We also have outstanding students here in Dare County.” The lengthy process of finding the new superintendent started with around 100 candidates being chosen after extensive interviews. Once the list of candidates was narrowed down, a second, more complex round of interviews began. Over the course of several months, the field was down to the top three candidates. The requirements for the position included someone having a doctorate in education and a certification to be the superintendent, although the School Board can waive that policy if members feel comfortable with a candidate who might not have those requirements. “Obviously you want a superintendent that has experience in all levels of education: a teacher, an admin, a central office person,” Principal Tim Albert said. “Also, someone that knows how to deal with the community, knows how to work well with the community, business

Photo submitted by Sharon Perry Sullivan Superintendent Sue Burgess presents awards to members of the Nighthawk News staff during a Board of Education meeting on March 14. From left are Mack Doebler, Alex Rodman, adviser Steve Hanf, District 2 Rep. Joe Tauber, Burgess, Mary Pat Thompson and Byrde Wells. leaders and board of commissioners.” Decisions of the superintendent can directly affect the student body of each Dare County school. The leader implements day-to-day decisions for the schools about educational programs as well as what staff is in each school. “I think the student body should be informed of the superintendent candidates because usually what you’ll find is that the majority of your candidates are very student-centered, and that is what the School Board is looking for,” Albert said. The School Board has said in a previous statement that the new superintendent will be named no later than July 1. His or her first few months on the job will consist of visiting the schools and getting to know and understand

the communities in which the schools are located. Students were able to express what they are looking for in a superintendent by attending a stakeholder meeting, where they were presented with a series of questions from the search committee about what type of superintendent they are looking for. “I believe that all students should pay close attention to the process and if there are ways for students to voice their opinions to the process through social media,” Albert said. “I think students should professionally voice their opinions on what they feel and what they want in a superintendent.” Sophomore Trinity Harrison can be reached at harrisontr0314@daretolearn.org.

COA provides more than online education to FFHS

By Blair Smith Staff Writer

ike many college students, nowadays many high school students are also going to college online. First Flight offers college-level classes and dual enrollment, which can ultimately help students have some college credits under their belt by the time they graduate from high school. Next school year, however, instead of walking to the online classroom for the college classes, COA will have actual professors come to First Flight to teach. They will be coming here for American History 131/132 and COA English. Counselor Kyle Eaker loves the idea of having physical college classrooms here at the school. “Having COA classes on cam-

pus allows students to interact with a college professor,” Eaker said. “There will be a direct line of communication that is sometimes missing when students take online courses. The classes on campus will give students the opportunity to challenge college-level coursework in the comfortable environment of their own high school.” Some students, like sophomore Madison Crumpler, plan to take American History 131/132 next year with COA. “Taking a physical college course in high school could challenge you, but it could help you since you have a teacher to really teach you the material,” Crumpler said. “Also, if you have questions, you have a teacher right there to ask.” Eaker said the experience of testing out college-level classes

sooner rather than later will benefit students. “Having a college class in high school is a good way to experience college classes before you are bombarded by the other stressors college comes with, such as moving, roommate, making new social groups, finances, etc.,” Eaker said. “If you take the COA courses now you have more support than you will when you move away to college, and you can start developing good habits.” Eaker explained that most likely there will be a classroom for the physical COA courses, but they don’t have a room yet. “The classes will be on a traditional college schedule. They will meet Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday,” Eaker said. “On the days the class does

not meet, the students will have lab time to complete their assignments.” There are a variety of options with taking college classes while still in high school. There are multiple classes that students may take, either online or on campus at COA. “The professor who teaches the online material will be in the building for questions, and for the students who are apprehensive about online classes, the on-campus classes can be a good starting point,” Eaker said. Students should talk to their counselor about taking COA classes and what benefits they could provide if interested in signing up. Sophomore Blair Smith can be reached at smithas0621@daretolearn.org. summer / / 2017

Say ‘Bonjour’ to La Mer literary magazine

By Chloe Futrell Staff Writer

ix members sit in desks looking at each other after messing around on Google Translate when it hits them. Something that at first sounds like gibberish. La Mer, the French name for the sea. It seems like a fitting title for a literary magazine on the Outer Banks. A literary magazine is a new concept that students and Creative Writing teacher Hunter Will have decided to introduce at FFHS. “Literary magazine is a group of students who have come together who are interested in displaying student writing and artwork in magazine form, either online or physically,” Will said. She had been gifted examples of literary magazines to use for her Creative Writing class, but as Will read more about them she became more interested in what it would take to create one. Will went to the Southern Interscholastic Press Association (SIPA) journalism convention at the University of South Carolina in March with adviser Steve Hanf and students from the yearbook and newspaper staffs. She attended classes and took notes and got inspired. When Will came back, she was ready

to start inviting people to join the staff and begin the process of creating the school’s first magazine. “I learned about different magazines and what constitutes a creative publication like that, and I’m still not a hundred percent because we haven’t done it before, but it’s really exciting to have this new opportunity at our school,” Will said. Will talked to her creative writing classes to try and recruit members to form a staff. This piqued sophomore Emma Seay’s interest and she decided to inquire. “I thought it was really interesting and I enjoy writing and art and everything, so I thought it would be really cool to mix all of those together,” Seay explained. Other students who went on the SIPA trip had already heard about it and came back ready to start a literary magazine. “I was excited, because when I went to SIPA me and Ms. Will and a bunch of other people that went had talked about making a lit mag,” sophomore Trinity Harrison said. Students on the staff look forward to being able to share their peers’ literary talents with the rest of the school. “I don’t get to see a lot of the art, so whenever they put it outside it’s just so beautiful and I really like it. Hopefully people submit it,”

said Seay, looking forward to working with the artists in the school. On the other hand, students like Harrison look forward to the design aspect of the magazine. Students like Harrison who don’t necessarily want to be a writer but want to join for the designing aspect will definitely be able to get their hands into the literary magazine. “Being in newspaper, I’ve been exposed to different programs like InDesign and that type of thing, and I really like designing pages,” Harrison said. “(Will) didn’t necessarily need help getting writers, because she had the class.” The magazine is still a work in progress and a lot of work lies ahead, but the students are working hard to have a magazine available digitally by the end of this school year. Anyone is allowed to join the La Mer staff or submit works of art or literature. Everything that is submitted will be reviewed by the staff so a theme can be developed for that edition. Not everything submitted will be used. To enter a piece of writing or artwork, students will need to fill out a permission slip located in Will’s room (B-313) and send submissions to firstflightliterarymagazine@gmail. com. Sophomore Chloe Futrell can be reached at futrellch1114@daretolearn.org.

It always seems impossible until its done.

- Nelson Mandela

Congratulations Class of 2017, shine bright and far!

Nighthawk News Magazine / / news

Middle school celebrates 25-year anniversary By Koral Tucker Staff Writer

irst Flight Middle School is celebrating its 25th anniversary since the school opened Aug. 27, 1991. The middle school has had numerous ways this year to commemorate 25 years. Ideas have ranged from traditional to unique, such as the opening of a time capsule or challenging students, staff and parents to read as many books as possible throughout the year to reach the goal of 25,000 books, and – finally – wrapping up the big year with a spring festival. The middle school hosted a “Mayday, Mayday, Middle School Mayhem” spring festival on May 20. The FFMS PTO joined with OBX Go Far for a 5K and 1 Mile Color Run/Walk. The event offered both timed and untimed courses for all ages. While running, the participants passed through color zones to enhance the fun and colorful experience for everyone. Non-spray zones were also available to runners and walkers. After the race, the event featured other activities including a cake walk, silent auction, rides and inflatables, color extravaganza, raffle, a bake sale, STEM challenge activities and much more. “There will even be a splash booth with me in it,” FFMS principal Dave Guiley said before the event. Sixth-grade Language Arts and eighth-grade AVID

teacher Cindy McNeill came to the middle school in 1995 and has been teaching there for 22 years and counting. “We’ve done stuff similar to this, but we’ve never done a spring festival and a spring 5K,” McNeill said. “We’ve only done a Christmas 5K twice, but I think they’re hoping that this is the beginning of something like this every year.” There was also a ceremony held for the resealing of the 1991 time capsule. On Sept. 21, 2016, the school held a ceremony to open the time capsule. It contained three VHS tapes, along with photos of students and staff and other items added by students. “The tapes were transferred into two DVDs, and it showed everybody in pep rallies, basketball games, baseball games, Dr. Brooks – our very first principal – and pretty much a glimpse of everything,” FFMS teacher Wanda Jordan said. “I was excited to finally take the time capsule out because my daughter was in the sixth grade at the time, and she had put a poem she wrote in it and I was finally excited to see the poem she had done.” Jordan previously taught eighth-grade social studies, but now teaches Computer Skills and Applications, and has been teaching at the middle school since it first opened. “When the school first opened, there were only four sixth-grade teachers,

Photos by Ben Tran/Nighthawk News Middle school students and participants have fun taping teachers to a wall while splashing them with leftover spray from the color run, which also featured vibrant powders (below). four seventh-grade teachers, four eighth-grade teachers, two P.E. teachers, one band teacher, one theatre arts and one art teacher,” Jordan said. “We’ve come a long way!” They placed the original items from the time capsule back in, as well as including some new ones. After they held a ceremony showing the items in the capsule, they sealed it back up and it will not be opened for another 25 years. “We are putting a 3D print model of the school, showing how far we’ve come in technology, some artwork, and a DVD. But we wonder if in 25 years if DVDs will become obsolete like the VHS from the original one,” Jordan said. Sophomore Koral Tucker can be reached at tuckerko0523@daretolearn.org.

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Waterpark brings H2O fun to OBX By Hannah Ellington Staff Writer

2OBX, the biggest waterpark to ever grace the East Coast, is opening this summer. With twisting and turning slides, a giant wave pool and a lazy river, it’s sure to bring a lot of entertainment and enjoyment to the Outer Banks. Located in Powells Point, H2OBX is an easy-to-access water park for many who live on the Outer Banks. Previously, locals had to drive to Virginia to experience Water Country USA or Ocean Breeze. It will cost $50 for those 42 inches and taller, $45 for children under 42 inches, and will be free for ages 2 and under. Discounted tickets and season passes also will be available. “I’m excited about it,” social studies teacher Adam Herman said. “I think it’s a good option for red ﬂag days and upwelling days and maybe jellyﬁsh days. It’s good that we have another option for entertainment, something fun.” The park will feature over 30 attractions, including thrill rides,

Photo provided by H2OBX Colorful slides twist through the sky along Highway 158 as workers strive to ﬁnish the new waterpark in Currituck County. rides for the family and options for kids. It will also include places to dine and venues to explore. “There’s one ride that the bottom goes out and you just go straight down at a 90-degree angle!” Herman said. There will be a limit of 5,000 people per day to make sure everyone has a good time and that it is not overcrowded. H2OBX will also offer the Outer Banks community a wide range of jobs, creating over 200 full-time and seasonal positions, and the company made sure to reach out to high school students.

“I think it’s going to be pretty fun. It’s going to be new, it’s going to be something that I have never done before and it’s going to look good on some job applications in the future,” H2OBX lifeguard and sophomore Max Hawkins said. But many wonder whether or not the park will be worth it. “I think it’s a tourist attraction and I don’t support it,” junior Logan Haas said. “It seems like the more tourist attractions that we have and the more artiﬁcial things we have and places to go, the more it takes away from the nature of the Outer Banks.”

Others question the price and increase in traffic. “I think it’s going to be a traffic nightmare trying to turn in there on an already busy street,” science teacher Katie Neller said. “If they put a stop light there, then that will jam up traffic even more.” Added sophomore Codie Patterson: “I don’t really think that we have the space to bring in more people because the roads are already crowded enough.” Not to mention, people love to question just how clean that water really is. “The chlorine tries to kill all the gross things in there, but it just doesn’t succeed,” Haas said. Still, waterparks across the country draw millions of visitors each year to have splashing fun. But is it really necessary on the Outer Banks? “I don’t know why you need a waterpark when you have the ocean, the ultimate waterpark,” Neller said, laughing. Sophomore Hannah Ellington can be reached at ellingtonha1214@ daretolearn.org.

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Unique jobs lead to unique summer days By Shelby Miller Staff Writer

hether you work at an ice cream shop, lifeguard a beach access, or even work as a lighting and sound guy, making money in the summer is appealing to many students. Junior Mac McClary spends his time as a lighting director at Sea Level Sound. “I’m in charge of making sure the lighting gear is there at the production on time, that it gets flown, and set up on stage,” McClary said. “I run all the cables for everything and operate it during the show. Sometimes during smaller shows I’ll be an audio technician.” McClary has been involved in the tech field since the summer of his seventh-grade year. “I was the sound guy at the Jubilee Theatre, and when that closed down I got involved with my current company. It will be my third summer with them this year,” McClary said. The schedule for McClary’s job is definitely a commitment, but he enjoys it. “In the summer, it ranges from three to six days a week,” he said. “When the season gets busier and picks up, I’ll find myself working on a Thursday afternoon after school. I really like working in production and live concert because I really love music.” Instead of putting on concerts or productions, some like to play with kittens and puppies for their summer job. Junior Malia Garber has been working at the Martin’s Point Veterinary Hospital for three years. Garber is the technician’s assistant to the veterinary techni-

cian. Garber sometimes helps with kennel work, sweeping floors and exercising the animals that visit the clinic. “My routine at work consists of having to feed the cats and dogs in the kennel and letting them out. I also work in the middle, helping with appointments and checkups,” Garber said. Although Garber doesn’t plan to have a career in this field, she enjoys her time spent there. “I love playing with the new puppies and kittens that come in every spring,” Garber said. “I work five to six days a week during the summer and one day during the weekends during the school year. Weekdays can be tough since they’re 10-hour shifts.” Working at the vet takes a lot of responsibility. “It’s a lot of work and if you’re somebody who likes to be on your phone a lot then it’s probably not the job for you,” Garber said. “You always have to clean when you’re not busy.” Having a job in the summer as a teen has multiple positive outcomes. You learn skills you’ll need later in life, you can make your own money, and many other things, explained First Flight counselor Jennie Rook. “I think having a job in the summer is a great sense of responsibility. You start being able to learn what it takes to manage your own finances, as well as all of those skills that go along with making commitments, sticking to a schedule and being where you’re supposed to,” Rook said. For students looking for a job, whether it be for tourist season or year round, it is important to get out there and start looking sooner

Got memories? If an older copy of Shorelines is missing from your collection, contact us to see if we have a few extras remaining from your days at First Flight. Books will be sold at the discounted price of just $25! hanfst@daretolearn.org | 449-7000 ext. 2437

Photo submitted by Mac McClary Junior Mac McClary plans to spend much of his summer providing lighting at concerts, similar to this event he did at Kelly’s. rather than later. “Start early, and don’t assume that everyone announces things,” Rook said. “Make a great resume, and then do what they call ‘cold calling.’ Dress your best, be ready to be interviewed on the spot, and

if you see somewhere you want to work then go on in there, don’t wait for something to be posted. You can create your own opportunities.” Sophomore Shelby Miller can be reached at millersh0814@daretolearn.org.

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Popular beach drive-in celebrates 40 years By Cassidy O’Neil Staff Writer

ver the last 40 years, not much has changed at John’s Drive-In, the classic beach-side lunch joint that has been a staple for locals and tourists alike since its conception. “We all try to keep it family, that’s what the whole atmosphere here is,” owner John Tice Jr. said. Tice grew up alongside the restaurant, which was originally owned by his father, who was affectionately known as ‘Big John’, and his wife Pat. Since 1977, John’s has been serving customers from all over the country. Big John and Pat considered themselves to be “Ma” and “Pa” to all of their friends and customers. John enjoys the family nature of the business, including seeing local customers and visitors return year after year. It becomes somewhat of a tradition, with return visitors bringing new members of the family with them. Tice loves seeing families come back with growing children and their children’s children, and he laughed about how he’ll even see family pets return in future years with new puppies in tow. In 2007, the Outer Banks lost John Sr., but his son has strived to keep everything the same as it was back in the ‘70s. For the 40th anniversary, the focus was to make the exterior look exactly like it did when it first opened. “The food’s still the same, the shrimp and the dolphin and all the stuff we have been doing all these years all have remained the same. We wanted to make sure the outside looked like it did when I was a kid,” Tice said.

Prior to their first day open this season, John received calls wondering about the date and hours they would be open. Many customers fought over the title of being the first customer served during the restaurant’s 40th season. “We have guys that call us from Maryland and Raleigh to tell us, ‘We are on our way, we just want to find out your hours, we want to make sure you’ll be open,’ ” Tice said. Even for locals, getting a glimpse of the open sign in the John’s window is sure to excite. “John’s opens right before the end of the school year, so when I get my first order of John’s I know that summer is close,” sophomore Parker Melson said. On May 19, the Chamber of Commerce commemorated John’s Drive-In with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In attendance was the granddaughter of one of the construction workers who helped build the original beach shack. “At the ceremony there (were) many people who helped and contributed to making John’s the place that it is today,” Tice said. Even though it’s the 21st century, John’s still lingers in the 20th, and Tice intends to keep it that way. “We plan to just keep rolling and keep things the same they have been for the last 40 years: Really, the future is the past for us,” Tice said. “Making sure that one day down the road that the kids that have been coming here since they were little come back years later and bring their little one here, whether it’s a puppy or a person.” Sophomore Cassidy O’Neil can be reached at o’neilca1210@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News This is one of the few times in the summer when you don’t see a line out to the beach at John’s Drive-In. John’s recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.

Jason Emminizer 252-207-2590 (cell) 252-255-1783 (fax) jthemminizer@ charter.net

Nighthawk News Magazine / / features

The creation of Coliball sparks excitement By Reagan Pearson Staff Writer

hat happens when you take football, rugby and soccer and combine it with the minds of junior Braxton Hughes and sophomore Brayden Wassler? You get an exciting combination of variety and gameplay simply known as Coliball (Call-E-Ball). Coliball was created one day after Hughes moved into his new house in Colington Harbor with a canal in the back. As they were moving in, Wassler noticed that the barrier between the canal and the field of grass was low. “Me and Braxton were standing on his porch and I was looking down at the water,” Wassler said. “I was like, ‘Why we don’t we play football, but have the touchdown as water.” Hughes thought it was “the stupidest thing” he’d ever heard. However, the more he thought about it, Hughes had to admit that Wassler was onto something. He called him up two days later and proclaimed, “You’re a genius!” Thus Coliball was born. The first game was played by Wassler and Hughes and some of Hughes’ younger brother’s friends, and they all shaped an outline of what the game would eventually turn out to be. After playing a version of football for a while, Hughes told Wassler, “I’m gonna make up my own sport.” As they kept playing, Hughes spiced up the game by making and adding new rules and giving the contest a more rugby-based gameplay. And, as the two had come up with the idea for the game in Hughes’ new home in Colington, they dubbed the sport Coliball. Coliball is played in an open field with two teams trying to score a touchdown in the canal zone, or goal, at the end of the field. To score a touchdown, the ball has to touch the water within the goal. However, the player must also be holding the ball. This means you can’t simply walk into the goal with the ball to score a touchdown, but rather dive into the goal or jump in. If you are going for a touchdown and you get tagged before you score, you must kick it back to the other team. While you have the ball and you are tagged, you must pass the ball, but you cannot simply throw it to a person in front

Photo submitted by Braxton Hughes Students gather for fun in the sun while playing the new sport that combines football, rugby and the water. of you. Rather, you can either toss it to someone behind you, or punt it to someone in front of you. You can also try to tackle someone in the hopes of knocking the ball out of their hands. The first team to get a touchdown wins. The game now more complex and competitive, Hughes and Wassler got more of their friends involved, including sophomore Shane McKenna. “During football season, we saw that Braxton had a bunch of people over at his house from Linemen Dinner, and he wanted us to play this new game that he had invented,” McKenna said. Eventually, the sport got popular with the linemen, to the point where Coliball began to branch out from there. “After all the linemen tried it out, we just started inviting these random people whether they played football or not and just started playing,” McKenna added. While Coliball is a fun game with many things to enjoy, it can turn very tough very quickly. “When we are jumping into the canal (to score) as a person is in the air you can tag, people will launch themselves to try to tag you or hit you,” McKenna said. “It’s one of the few games out there that’s really, really fun.” Coliball has truly evolved into a legitimate sport with rules and guidelines, and even an official team, the Tarantula Hawks. The name comes from a wasp of the same name, known for having the second-most painful sting in the insect kingdom – so painful it can

put humans in a temporary state of paralysis. And “Tarantula Hawk” isn’t just a cool nickname, as it actually hunts for tarantulas. The team currently has a record of 2-0-1 in the Coliball season, but the game is about far more than wins and losses, Hughes said.

“Just getting everyone together, man, and having a good time, playing music, getting exercise, while just playing and jumping in the sound,” Hughes said. Sophomore Reagan Pearson can be reached at pearsonra0213@ daretolearn.org.

summer / / 2017

Supreme streetwear F

By Mack Doebler Online Editor

ashion: A representation of ourselves, the idea that the body is a canvas and our clothes are the paints. For eons people have decorated and adorned themselves with threads and brands. For the modern era there is no exception, especially not for men. Although there a few subdivisions of modern male fashion, what it’s known as is all depending on who you talk to, you can easily identify the culture as Urban Streetwear. It grew on the heels of the skateboarding and hip-hop scenes of the ‘80s and ‘90s, getting big names like The Notorious B.I.G. to wear the brands. Seeing famous people in speciﬁc brands creates “hype” and interest around said brand, which leads some people, explained junior Nathan Aldea, to “bite” it. “The people that bite the hype (buy the brands), like when celebrities wear certain type of things, more people want it and the hype goes up,” he said. Aldea has frequented the online stores and shirt racks searching for hot ticket pieces for some time now. He started before moving to the beach. “At my old school, people would do it all the time, so I just got sucked into it, and my dad was always into shoewear,” Aldea explained. Aldea isn’t the only student on the beach who developed a love for Urban Streetwear before moving to the Outer Banks. Senior Eddie Gowen has followed the culture since middle school. “I started getting into stuff like that when I was biking in middle school and then I just got more appreciation for the culture as time progressed. I’ve just grown to get more involved with it,” Gowen said. Gowen and Aldea both have a background riding BMX, essentially trick bike riding. It’s a culture heavily associated with skateboarding and, by extension, Urban Streetwear. The market is chock full of NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

streetwear brands that all compete for consumer money. In an industry that specifically caters to image and aesthetics, everybody is going to have a favorite brand. “I would say Supreme, but I don’t own that much because I’m not ballin’ that hard, so probably like Quiet Life,” Gowen said. Aldea, however, is ballin’ that hard. “My favorite brands are Palace Skateboards and Supreme,” Aldea said. “Supreme started in 1994. It’s really just a skateboard company, but now everybody looks at it as a Streetwear brand, same thing with Palace Skateboards. I don’t know when they started, but way back they were just a skate brand that got hyped up.” He’s right. In 1994, James Jebbia started his brand SUPREME. HYPEBEAST credits him and the brand as the first name to jump over borders between hip-hop, high-fashion and art. Now some 23 years later, SUPREME is the biggest name in the industry. Rumors of its merchandise being used as currency for rich kids in New York circulate social circles, memes permeate through the internet to every feed and some folks even buy in. In some ways, it’s a status symbol. “I have a box logo hoodie that I spent $600 on,” Aldea said. “It’s just a regular hoodie with a box logo on it that says ‘Supreme.’ But it’s a limited piece and it’s something I’ve always wanted.” Gowen’s had a similar purchase, albeit at a slightly less costly buying point. “A Supreme hoodie that was 200 bucks,” Gowen said. “I got it for retail because I got it when it dropped. It’s a lot more expensive if you buy it post-drop.” Gowen and Aldea understand that for Urban Streetwear, there is a whole separate market for merchandise. The prices fly sky high because the demand for these products is so high, but the supply is so low. This in turn increases demand, allowing second-hand sellers (and retailers) to jack prices up, sometimes 2000 percent. When a consumer spends $600 on a

hoodie, that’s when they bite the hype. Some folks see it as sensationalism or too image-based. Aldea sees it a different way. “There is a big separate economy on these things that people don’t understand,” he said. “People think it’s just a regular hoodie, but there’s a history behind these certain things.” And there is. Urban Streetwear is a representation of numerous subcultural trends, from the skateboarders and BMXers to the hip-hop artists and sports players. Maybe it’s not just about looking good. Maybe it’s about recognizing and respecting great pioneers of the underground. We may never know, until we bite the hype ourselves. Senior Mack Doebler can be reached at doeblerma0930@daretolearn.org.

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ROV Club takes a dive into the pool of robotics

By Dagen Gilbreath Staff Writer

emotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) Club, led by science teacher Andrew Thomas, focuses on the creation, coding, piloting and competition of complex robots. According to club chief financial officer and junior Mac McClary, it’s anything but easy. “It’s a very lengthy and complicated process,” McClary said. The five-person team had five months to develop a robot capable of completing various unique tasks. The robot must be able to complete said tasks in a competitive environment against other high school teams during yearly conferences. “Everything else (besides the mission) is your own devices. It’s all from scratch,” McClary said. This year the tasks assigned were construction, environmental cleanup, analyzing containers and sediment samples, as well as maintenance on underwater electronics. All tasks had to be completed in 15 minutes. These competitions aren’t just a test of engineering and robotics, but of teamwork and synergy. “We really enjoy working with each other,” McClary said. “The team dynamic was really good this year.” Difficulties are common for the team during the development process of the robot. Because the ROV team members have such few resources to aid them, troubleshooting is done autonomously. The team has to exhibit resilience and leadership in order to overcome the obstacles. “The week before the competition is usually the most stressful, because for whatever reason that’s when everything decides to break,” McClary said. “So we’ll be up sometimes until 1 in the morning a few days before the competition fixing this and that to be able to get it ready to go.” This year, the team decided to take on the challenge of revamping its entire control scheme for the robot to allow for more precise movement. “That took the most time and caused a lot of troubleshooting. We would need to change stuff in the code and go back and do it again,” McClary said. “That was a lot of back and forth of trial and error. We fried about four different motor controllers during this whole process of trying to troubleshoot.” Although it seems as though McClary’s plate is already quite full, that didn’t stop him from branching out from high school ROV and aiding the newly formed First Flight Middle School ROV team. He stepped up to the challenge and worked as a mentor to the newly indoctrinated junior engineers, helping them develop their first functional ROV. “I helped them and I mentored them (because) they’re going to be on my team next year,” McClary said. “I figured, why not just get them started now?” With McClary as their mentor, the middle school team had an incredibly successful first

Photos submitted by Mac McClary Members of the ROV Club work hard throughout the school year to ensure that they are prepared for competitions. Testing the robots in the water is the best time to catch any last-minute issues before competition. Then comes the fun part – fixing those issues. mission, outscoring the high schoolers and moving on to the international competitions without them. “It might have backfired just a little bit,” McClary said with a laugh. Even so, he is proud of his new pupils. They were friendly rivals throughout the development phase. “Most of them are pretty smart kids and it’s good to have that. It pushes us to get our stuff together and keep pushing forward to stay ahead of them,” McClary said. More than anything, ROV Club is about finding that passion for discovery as team members

merge leadership and creativity to make something truly special. “The most satisfying thing is putting it in the water, pressing a joystick forward, and it moving,” McClary said.“That honestly makes me so happy when I’m able to just put it in the water and have it work.” Junior Dagen Gilbreath can be reached at gilbreathda0518@daretolearn.org. summer / / 2017

Photo submitted by Lori Keating Little Library steward (from left) Lori Keating, artist Carolina Coto and steward Judi Flakowicz show off the latest addition at the Chicahauk Trail beach access. Anyone can grab a book to enjoy before returning it for the next user.

Little Libraries spring up along Southern Shores By Julia Bachman Staff Writer

ave you seen the little houses filled with books near the beach accesses in Southern Shores? Those are the new “Little Libraries” that contain books for every reader. “Take a book, leave a book” was introduced to local accesses by Lori Keating, a former librarian in Loudoun County, Virginia. She moved here almost two years ago, but before she retired she thought of the idea. She had seen Little Libraries in Northern Virginia and thought having them at beach accesses here would benefit countless people. “It made so much sense to me because everybody reads at the beach,” Keating said. Keating just wasn’t sure how to make it happen. After she and her husband moved to the Outer Banks, she started thinking about how to go about the process. The properties that people cross over to get to the ocean in Southern Shores belong to the Southern Shores Civic Association. She called the SSCA to find out when their board meetings were and then attended one to present the idea to them. Nighthawk News Magazine / / features

“The community and the board members loved it and they asked me to come back to a board meeting,” said Keating, who during the next board meeting was able to talk about the details: what the Little Libraries would do for the community and what the project would entail. The concept is simple: Take a book, leave a book. “People take books from the libraries, and you don’t have to return the same book but you should return one eventually,” Keating said. “You can keep the book that you take and donate books to it as well.” Keating said that the books starting this project came from the community. People heard about this through word of mouth and through the board meetings, and many have been bringing books from their private libraries to the SSCA office. “It really does work well in a community, and I think that people really like it,” said Keating, who is the steward for the Little Library at the Dogwood beach access. “I make sure that the cases are filled with books for everybody.” This means making sure there are children’s books, young adult novels and adult literature. As

Photo submitted by Lori Keating The Little Libraries provide books for all ages. The unique and eye-catching designs are done by various local artists. steward, she is also in charge of making sure it is in good maintenance. So who built the Little Libraries? It turns out that Keating and her husband did. One side of the case is really tall for children’s books, and the double-decker shelves are for novels, so almost every size book will fit in there. After building them in January and February, Keating and her husband donated them. SSCA paid for the charter, which is to the national organization called LittleFreeLibraries.org. There is a small charter plaque on the bottom of each little library, which puts them on a world map. People can go to the website to see if there is a Little Library in their area. Each library is decorated by a different artist who puts their own flare on it. “We wanted to involve the community more, so we got the owner of Made In the OBX to help

us connect with some artists,” said Keating, adding that artists Dawn Morega, Kim Folds, Barb Noel and Carolina Coto decorated the Little Libraries. What about the storms that hit the Outer Banks? “We put a bunch of coats of polyurethane on them and figure every year we will have to apply the coats to keep them weatherproof,” Keating said. Also, silicone gel is placed around the creases to protect against water leaks that would damage the books. The new Little Library collection is hard to miss at the beach access points in Southern Shores. The next time you’re in the mood for a little reading, stop by a Little Library and disappear into the pages of a good book. “It’s really fun to see people get excited about this,” Keating said. Sophomore Julia Bachman can be reached at bachmanju@daretolearn. org.

Music is not just a Side Project for this senior

By Julia Bachman Staff Writer

enior Sam Wills is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the guitar, trombone and cello. “Guitar is my favorite by far,” Wills said. Wills is in the Advanced Jazz Band, playing first-chair trombone, and plays cello in orchestra. He has been the section leader for the trombones in Advanced Jazz for the last two years, and also used to be in the marching and concert bands. In his free time, Wills is a member of three other bands. Two of the bands were put together through the Mustang Outreach Program, which is designed to bring students together and put them into bands. The program aims to continue to teach students how to play as a group and to introduce them to being in a band. It is facilitated through the Mustang Music Festival, but stands as a separate entity. Side Projects is Wills’ main band, featuring senior Joe Sawin on vocals, home-schooler Jacob Mandis on bass, brother Jonah Wills on drums and Wills on guitar. “In Side Projects we work really well together. Writing songs and performing is fairly easy and a lot of fun,” Wills said. During the band’s first year together, it performed on the main stage at the Mustang Music Festival. “It was awesome and terrifying,” said Wills, but since then he’s gotten over his stage fright and enjoys performing much more. Stuck In Place, Wills’ second band, is made up of five members: sophomore OJ Sawtell on vocals and bass, junior Katie Hala on guitar and vocals, junior Alexandra Byers on vocals and keyboard, sophomore Noah Morgan on drums and Wills on guitar. Grace and the Dudes is a side project with vocalist Grace Dichler, Joe Sawin on backup vocals and Wills on guitar. Wills has been playing guitar since around second grade. During middle school he added the trombone and cello to his repertoire. Although Wills doesn’t know what the trombone and cello will hold for him in the future, he definitely wants to pursue guitar. He is planning on joining a band in college, and even though making music will not be his main focus, he still

Photo submitted by Sam Wills Senior Joe Sawin (left), home-schooler Jacob Mandis (middle) and senior Sam Wills jam out for a crowd with passion. Wills is a member of several bands and takes his musical pursuits seriously. wants to take classes to learn more about the art. One of the bands that Wills plays in already has a few original songs, and the members are continuing to produce more. He prefers performing in a small venue. “I’d say my favorite performance has been at The Roadside Bar & Grill,” Wills said. Wills and his band performed their new original songs live for the first time. “I like rock, but the lighter side of rock, alternative,” Wills said, citing Cage the Elephant and John Mayer, the latter especially, as some of his greatest influences. “If I could play guitar like him or sing at all like him, that would be great.” Since Wills participates in the Mustang Outreach Program, he helps teach younger kids music basics. He also interns with Majestic Productions, a backline company that sets up and manages equipment for music shows by assisting many bands that come into town. If they don’t bring their gear because of traveling difficulties or expenses, Wills loans them company equipment and helps to set up. He was brought on as the company’s first intern because he knew the owners. For events like the Mustang Music Festival, he helps with setting up, putting out equipment and cleaning up. The majority of work that Wills participates in occurs when similar festivals come to the Outer Banks. Will wants to pursue piano as his next instrument, but the whole

Photo submitted by Sam Wills Sam Wills practices his trusty six string in preparation for a gig. He plays several instruments and spies the piano as his next endeavor.

two-hands-coordination idea messes with him, he said. Drums are also an instrument he wants to learn, but thinks that playing in all directions would be difficult. He can play two songs on the piano, but plans to learn more when he finds the time.

Wills hopes to be in new bands while in college at Clemson University, and gig more: “I’d like to keep playing music for the rest of my life,” he said. Sophomore Julia Bachman can be reached at bachmanju@daretolearn. org. summer / / 2017

Painting to her own beat

By Chloe Futrell Staff Writer

arbuds in, music all the way up and a canvas waiting to be painted: A bittersweet feeling rushes over senior AP Art student Hannah Montgomery as she finishes up her last concentration piece of the semester. On top of the already-challenging projects in AP Art, Montgomery and other students are expected to create 12 additional pieces for their concentration projects. Music has strongly influenced Montgomery, and her art concentrations reflect that. “(My concentrations are) recreations of album covers from the specific genres of hiphop, R&B and rap,” Montgomery said. “I take an album cover of an album I enjoy listening to and I analyze the theme of the album and what the artist was trying to get at when he was rapping.” Just as music has played a significant role in Montgomery’s life, she has also been in to art for as long as she can remember. “I’ve always done stuff like this,” Montgomery said as she painted a homemade card. “Ever since I was little, I’ve made cards for my family and friends instead of buying birthday cards.” Just as when she was younger, Montgomery puts all her time and energy into her pieces to create something special. Her hard work has paid off, as she’s won multiple awards for her art. AP Art teacher Alice Baldwin recently attended an award ceremony for the Outer Banks Woman’s Club to see Montgomery receive her award for best in show. “It’s been really nice going to all the shows,” Baldwin said. “It’s always nice to see the student outside of the classroom really exploring and doing really well at their craft.” To Montgomery, Baldwin has been one of her inspirations throughout her artistic journey. “Ms. Baldwin definitely inspires me,” Montgomery said. “This year in AP, definitely the music inspires me, but Ms. Baldwin and Mrs. (Jenna) Saunders have been big influences on supporting me and everything.” Other supporters of Montgomery’s craft are her parents. “My mom always wants to know what I am working on. She wants to buy my Chuck Close (portrait) from me!” Montgomery laughed. Despite her many awards, this year hasn’t always been easy for Montgomery. Not every piece she has done has been her favorite. “I think when I finish it I know that I don’t like it,” Montgomery said. “I didn’t like my A$AP Rocky one at all. You kind of know right away.” Sweet relief settled over Montgomery when she realized that all of her hard work had finally paid off. She plans to continue her artistic Nighthawk News Magazine / / features

Photo by Mary Pat Thompson/Nighthawk News Senior Hannah Montgomery expresses her artistic talents on a ceiling tile, a long-standing tradition of all AP Art students. Senior artists do this each year as a way to truly leave their mark on FFHS. journey by attending the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, majoring in art history and studio art. But, as senior year comes to an end, Montgomery steps back to admire her 12 concentrations lined across the board. “It was just so rewarding and fulfilling to see them all side by side and finished, because it’s

been from September to yesterday,” Montgomery said. “I was excited to get the last one done. I was definitely looking forward to it, but at the same time I kinda realized as soon as I finished ‘Oh, that was the last one.’ ” Sophomore Chloe Futrell can be reached at futrellch1114@daretolearn.org.

Our View: A bittersweet send-off to senior editors

S Editor-in-Chief – Mary Pat Thompson Business Manager – Beverly Murry Features Editor – Arabella Saunders Online Editor – Mack Doebler Opinions Editor – Sarah Skinner Photo Editor – Amy Wrenn Sports Editor – Byrde Wells Photographers – Michaela Kelly, Ben Tran Staff Writers – Kristen Applebaum, Julia Bachman, Cecilia Cortez, Sean Doyle, Dagen Gilbreath, Hannah Ellington, Chloe Futrell, Ashlee Geraghty, Suzanne Harrison, Trinity Harrison, Hunter Haskett, Caroline Jenkins, Sophie Johnson, Dair McNinch, Shelby Miller, Cassidy O’Neil, Olivia O’Steen, Reagan Pearson, Alex Rodman, Meghan Savona, Sarah Skinner, Blair Smith, Buzzy Staten, Grace Sullivan, Koral Tucker and Jayne Walker Adviser – Steve Hanf

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eniors, as you spread your wings to sharing insightful theories about the latest leave the nest and embark on your Star Wars episode. For creating stunning college journey to open a new chapter (and sometimes last-minute) graphics. For of your life, the marks you’ve left on mentoring underclassmen. For gracing all Nighthawk News won’t easily be forgotten. of First Flight with your impressive Formal (Luckily, because of the great Friday attire. For being the real leadership roles our senior ediweb master. tors have played, we know better Thank you, Sarah, for being so than to throw a bunch of clichés approachable. For showing huinto our stories.) mility despite your overwhelming Seniors, over the past few academic achievements (you’re years, each of you played key going to freaking Cornell!). For STAFF roles in shaping Nighthawk News, eloquently expressing our opinions EDITORIAL and we truly appreciate everythrough staff editorials. For being a thing you’ve done. great role model and always carryThank you, Byrde, for being ing yourself in a calm and collected one of Nighthawk Nation’s most devoted fans manner. For going above and beyond for all and live-tweeting sporting events throughout your story assignments. the year, giving fans a Byrde’s-eye-view of Thank you, Mary Pat, for your steadfast some of the most nail-biting games in FFHS dedication to journalism – the same dedihistory. For brightening B-214 with referenccation that earned you the title of NC High es to meme culture. For giving us the breakSchool Journalist of the Year. For sacriﬁcing down of last weekend’s epic Chickahauk-ball your own time to ensure Nighthawk News is showdown. For hyping us all up for every the best it can be. For devoting hours on end journalism convention “rave.” to editing stories for both print and online. Thank you, Amy, for capturing First For always standing up for what you believe Flight’s most memorable moments. For is right, despite public opposition, and craftalways having a smile on your face and ing a Pacemaker-ﬁnalist paper dedicated to withholding judgment when we can’t locate LGBTQ+ issues. For serving as a role model photos during deadline. For doing whatever for aspiring editors. For being an integral it takes to get the shot, whether that entails part of SIPA Squirrels (a position that can driving up and down the beach for various never be replaced). For establishing a tradiphoto assignments or getting sprayed by Silly tion of greatness in both your writing and leadership that we hope to carry on after you String at the Homecoming parade. For your graduate. willingness to spend hours at a time glued to Thank you to all of our editors for evPhotoshop to ensure our photos are perfect erything you’ve done to ensure Nighthawk for publication. Thank you, Mack, for tackling any and News’ success. We wish you luck in your every story assignment. For bringing fresh future endeavors. B-214 won’t be the same ideas to every brainstorming session. For without you all.

IN OUR OPINION

Hawk Talk: What is the best advice

Mary Pat Thompson: “Stay true to yourself and follow your dreams.” – junior Mollee Sinks

Evan Fish: “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” – sophomore Zane Fish

Mykenzie Halﬁn: “Good luck! You are a beauty inside and out! Take care and keep dancing.”

– junior Cierra Haley

Maggie Torchia: “Don’t procrastinate on your senior project.” – junior Scarlet Westenhiser summer / / 2017

Covering the bases of mental health

lot can happen in 100 minutes. You could take a test, maybe watch a movie – but for someone going through a depressive time full of negativity, they could take their own life. Approximately 20 percent of teens experience depression before they reach adulthood, and a teen takes his or her own life every 100 minutes, according to suicide.org. This statistic has become such an issue that suicide is now one of the leading causes of death among teens, which is both heartbreaking and anger-inducing. Schools, parents and mental health organizations will always talk about how suicide is not the answer, and offer someone to talk to you whenever you need it – which is fantastic – but that isn’t how you solve the issue. The idea of telling people with mental issues that if they talk to someone everything will be OK is basically like putting a Band-Aid on a broken arm. It offers little impact for most. Teens are scared to speak up about what really goes on in their heads, so this easy answer isn’t as great as adults perceive it to be. Out of the two million teens diagnosed with depression, only 30 percent get help, according to suicide.org. That other 70 percent could be in denial about what’s going on in their own mind, or they could just be “going through a phase,” as a parent might put it. That’s the main problem with mental illnesses as a teen: When you come forward to a parent or adult, they may just brush it off like it’s part of growing up, like

Nighthawk Notions Grace Sullivan everyone suffers from intense paranoia or multiple personalities and you’ll grow past it soon enough. This sugarcoating of a teen’s mental health could lead to even more depressive episodes, isolation from family and friends, and in some cases, an increase in suicidal thoughts. In popular media we are now seeing cases of mental illness normalized, whether it’s a background character in a movie or the main protagonist in a TV series like “13 Reasons Why.” Another factor that’s shaping the way we look at mental illnesses is social media. Many people take to Twitter to release their emotions in a light-hearted way – taking a problem so deep, dark and complicated and making a simple tweet about it that lightens the topic. These are things, I believe, that are steps in the right direction. We can’t be shoving statistics down teens’ throats, but we can take a more laid back approach and incorporate the discussion of mental illness into normal life. Although increased conversation is a plus, with mental health and similar topics being transitioned into social media, it’s no

surprise there’s some negative backlash. One of the more disturbing, dark-sided secrets that seems hidden from the real world are Instagram accounts that glorify these illnesses, the most popular being eating disorders. Accounts dedicated to eating disorders boast friendships with “Ana” and “Mia,” pet names for anorexia and bulimia, and are so dangerous for so many reasons. Their owners express their goals to reach unhealthy weights and are encouraged by hundreds of comments falsely claiming that starvation “pays off” or how they are a “fat cow” and they do need to skip lunch. Accounts similar to these can cause so many problems, especially for young people who

Illustration by Gabrielle Sullivan are so easily molded by society that even the smallest opinion could alter the course of their life. While we are taking steps in the right direction, especially by highlighting May as Mental Health Month, we are still missing a few marks. Stigmas are still high and result in misinterpreted fear of people affected by the illnesses. When someone says, “Hey, just wanted to let you know I have severe anxiety and paranoia,” that could possibly set a red light off in people. It’s time to start looking past these illnesses and start accepting the people affected without judgment. Sophomore Grace Sullivan can be reached at sullivangr1129@daretolearn.org.

you have received from a senior?

Quentin Bell: “Have fun.” – sophomore Austin Johnson

Nighthawk News Magazine / / opinions

Petro Zyka: “YOLO.” – junior Kira Foster

Maggie Torchia: “Work hard and have fun.” – freshman Dean Torchia

Ashley Chamorro: “Make today your best one.” – sophomore Megan Miller

Opinions and letters: Students on subjects that matter Looking back while preparing to move forward

Nighthawk Notions Sarah Skinner

ast year at around this time, I wrote a point/counterpoint for this publication, espousing the beneﬁts of leaving the Outer Banks. I wrote about how, while I loved growing up here, it was time to move on, because the OBX couldn’t provide everything I desired. Now, a year later, I’ve achieved my goal. In August, I will be moving to a school hundreds of miles away and to an environment that’s completely different from anything I’ve known. I found out the acceptance decision in December. That was it — my fate set. I was going exactly where I

knew I wanted to go. After the decision, however, after the culmination of what I had spent 12 years working toward, there was a space of six months. And in that six months I started to think. Is the Outer Banks a small community? Undoubtedly so. There’s a pretty set number of people here year-round. I’m graduating with many of the people I introduced myself to on the ﬁrst day of kindergarten. Sometimes the degree of community can feel overwhelming, suffocating. And sometimes it is wonderful. Last fall, I got into a car accident on the way to school, the same morning we took our senior picture. Arriving at school that day, still shell-shocked and reeling, I experienced the greatest outpouring of love and care in my life. People I hadn’t talked to in months came over to ask if I was OK. The community that may be suffocating was ready to be there for me at

the drop of a hat. I spent a long time thinking before I wrote the article last year, comparing crime rates and factors of opportunity vs. reward in my head. I should have been spending that time feeling – feeling what it means to live in a community where the same people that you met in kindergarten have become your friends and classmates, and the people you are proud to walk across a stage with 13 years later. Recently, I realized for the ﬁrst time that I only had mere days left in my gradeschool education. It was the sort of moment where realism just crashes into you. A high school student has been my identity for four years – before that a middle school student, before that an elementary one. I have been a Dare County student for nearly as long as I can remember, throughout all of my formative years. Students grow up in – and

around – the school system, for better or worse. No matter where the senior class goes from here, we will never recapture this moment precisely, poised on the brink of the rest of our lives, independent and free to choose our own paths. It’s bittersweet. I’ve known this day was coming for a long time, and wished it closer more times and more colorfully than I’d like to admit in a school publication. Now that I’m ironing out my graduation robe, however, I suddenly want to hang on: Hang on to this school, to the people who surround me here, and to the person I have become within it. And yet, at the same time, I know I am prepared to let go. Though the person who wrote the column last year wanted to leave, I know the person who wrote this one is truly ready to. Senior Sarah Skinner can be reached at skinnersa0619@daretolearn.org.

Sounding off on internet blocking at school

Nighthawk Notions Hunter Haskett

ou open up your Chromebook, ready to take some interesting Buzzfeed quizzes, and BAM! Suddenly you’re stopped by ZScaler. I understand that scrolling through Buzzfeed or listening to music does not technically count as schoolwork. But when I am trying to get work done, websites I need access to for actual assignments have been blocked. It’s getting annoying. Cramming for a test, writing out notes or working on a project are all perfect times that we could be listening to music on our computers. I’m not talking about music that has to be typed tediously into YouTube, but rather playlists found on Spotify and Pandora. Music is not going to distract from learning, but improve it. Listening to music while studying is not only preferred by most people,

but is scientiﬁcally proven to help, according to a study conducted at Stanford University in 2007. It proved that listening to music can engage the brain in areas like memory and concentration, so students can become more focused on their work if they listen to music. Also, students listen to music through YouTube or their phones. If the school wants to keep a strict cell phone policy, why not unblock music on Chromebooks so students are not tempted to sneak their phone under their desks just to skip to the next song. Music is so important, as it plays such a huge role in our lives, and listening to it shouldn’t be discouraged by administration. It is a way that we can express and enjoy ourselves during a long school day. Why not unblock something that helps us become more focused and happier students?

Besides music, there are a plethora of other useful sites that are blocked from students on Chromebooks. Some websites block you from valuable, educational information. Once I was trying to look up a biography in English and Vanity Fair’s article on the person was blocked. Look, if I am trying to look up something educational, chances are I don’t want to be. Rather I was probably assigned something in one of my classes. What makes these websites that have useful information worthy of ZScaler blockage? Hopefully, you

can still get a good grade on whatever you are doing without these websites. If the argument is that those websites will be too distracting for students, here’s a counter point: If this is a school ﬁlled with students who will very soon live on their own, vote for the president and drive themselves places, shouldn’t they be able to distinguish on their own the appropriate times those websites can be used? Sophomore Hunter Haskett can be reached at hasketthu0318@daretolearn.org. summer / / 2017

COA classes shouldn’t count as much as AP for GPA weighting Dear Editor, In the upcoming years, Dual Enrollment (COA) courses will be worth just as many points toward your GPA as AP courses. In my opinion, the increase in GPA-value for these classes was designed to increase the amount of students taking COA courses, make two seemingly parallel class-types (which in reality are not parallel) equal, and to promote taking COA for easy college credit rather than earning college credit through an AP class. Getting an A in an AP class is extremely difficult. For example, Lake Lige, who is ranked fourth in the senior class, took AP Art History this year while many other students took COA Art Appreciation. Lake told me, “I had so much work every week for that class, while many of my friends taking Art Appreciation flaunted their low work requirements, relatively easy quizzes, and a field trip as their final exam rather than an AP exam.” Although both courses were taken online, I believe it’s fair to say Lake earned the six points added to her GPA-average and her friends earned their five points. From my experience talking to staff and students alike, teachers and students agree that AP-level courses better prepare students attending a competitive college. Meanwhile, COA courses are what a student can expect out of a less-competitive college. Promoting students to take COA rather than AP will mislead the students regarding the difficulty of college courses. Consider the following scenario: Student A takes all online COA classes, cheats his or her way through the courses (and yes, many people say that answers are readily available and tests never change), receives A’s in the classes/final exams, and becomes valedictorian. Meanwhile, Student B takes AP and honors courses, spends many hours studying/working, struggles for A’s and B’s, and becomes 30th in his or her class. Which student deserves a better class rank? Obviously, Student B deserves a better class rank, but that honor is bestowed upon Student A. Which student is more prepared for college? Student B. Although Student A would more than likely make it into a better school, Student B actually acquired the knowledge needed to succeed, while Student A will drop off and become unsuccessful in college. Now ask yourself, would you like to be Student B? I think the school should really consider why they are pushing these courses and what weight to give these students’ GPAs. – junior Logan Haas

Politics and policies matter for today’s graduating seniors Dear Editor, It is that time of year when seniors graduate and go off into the world to start building their foundation for adulthood. When one thinks about becoming an adult, the mind drifts to thoughts of marriage, endless hours working and buying a house. One thing young adults fail to think about, and even talk about today, is politics. First things first, getting involved in politics is not taboo. The right to vote is a right that people have died for. Our generation is the most open-minded Nighthawk News Magazine / / opinions

and diverse this great nation has ever seen and the current Trump administration is threatening some values we as a generation share. Trump ran as a populist candidate and managed to win the presidency against, according to the media, almost insurmountable odds. Despite his popular message of “Make America Great Again,” he has failed to showcase any plan that, in my opinion, really helps our generation. He is a president that has failed to grasp the importance of our generation and what views we have. Trump opposes so many ideas that affect our generation, from environmental policy to social issues. Trump’s agenda will directly affect our lives. Perhaps the most prominent of those issues is education. The first bad news for students came when anti-teacher, millionaire Betsy DeVos was confirmed as Secretary of Education (VP Mike Pence had to cast a tie-breaker vote). She became the first Education Secretary to have absolutely zero experience teaching in or running a public school system. Her kids never even set foot in a public school. How can someone who says teachers are paid too much and has absolutely no exposure to public schools be put in charge of the nation’s public school system? In April, DeVos also opted out of participating in Obama-era student loan regulation policies, and Trump’s “Make America Great Again Budget” slashed the Department of Education’s budget by 13.5 percent, or $9.2 billion. This plan takes away from teacher training, eliminates funds for Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and calls for a decrease in the amount of funding for federal Pell Grants. Without that aid, students will not be able to afford higher education. The Outer Banks is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. However, every rose has its thorns, and our thorn is climate change (although, according to Trump, climate change is a hoax created by China). Rising sea levels, increased water salinity and temperature threatens every Dare County resident’s livelihood. Trump has threatened to remove the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement and roll back regulations on fossil fuel emissions. If the U.S. were to remove itself from such an important international agreement, our home will disappear one day. The childhood memories you hold dear will be at the bottom of the Atlantic. In addition, Trump appointed someone who doesn’t support alternative energy sources, denies climate change and opposes government oversight on regulating emission outputs. How can we protect the environment, animals and the human race itself if the U.S. doesn’t set a good example for the world? Lastly, Trump’s social policies will put so many at risk of discrimination. His xenophobic policies will force away those fleeing terrorism – brilliant scientists and hard-working students. How can the U.S. be the home of the free when we turn away the most vulnerable? Trump has said so many sexist remarks during the campaign, and that misogyny manifested in the signing of a bill that would take funding away from Planned Parenthood. Ivanka Trump, in a conference focusing on women, stated her father has an outstanding record on women’s rights. If he takes funding away from a program that provides life-saving mammograms, STD treatment and family planning, does he truly care about women?

In conclusion, Trump is a horrible president for those of us becoming college students in the years of his first (and hopefully only) term. – senior Brady Creef

More debate needed about controversial topics Dear Editor, I love reading different opinions on controversial subjects, such as opposing political views, as previously shown in Nighthawk News. The students offer views and points that one side might not have considered, while newcomers to the topic can create their own opinions. While some articles may be focused on huge controversial topics, others, such as a real or fake Christmas trees, offer more lighthearted arguments. I like how this could be applied to anything, such as summing the aforementioned tree argument into, say, Tradition vs. Accessibility. I would love to see more of these segments, especially on heated topics such as the rights of women, or the use of CRISPR-Cas9 as a genome editing tool and the ethical and moral debates surrounding that. These segments are always fun to read, as people can state their opinions on matters that otherwise would not get the attention of their classmates. In conclusion, these segments are beneficial to the student body, as they are thought-provoking and idea-inducing. Thank you for your time and consideration. – freshman Joseph Lewis

Cellphone use policy should be relaxed in future years Dear Editor, In Dare County Schools there is a strict policy against cellphone use that I feel should be reduced. Having cellphones in school could benefit students in many ways as well as help teachers stay connected with outside relations/family emergencies that might occur. The use of phones during school could also be beneficial for when you do not have your Chromebook with you and the library runs out of Chromebooks from all of the students who borrow them so much. For example, my family was experiencing a tough time when we heard from my brother’s dad’s hospice nurse that he only has a week left to live. My mom contacted me through my phone to let me know, but if in this situation I needed to see him and leave school at that moment, what would I have done if my family had no way to contact me? If I had to sign myself out and walk somewhere to get a ride, what would I have done? For me personally, there are instances like this that I wouldn’t want to be told by a school administrator that I had an excuse for me to leave during school hours because it would just make me cry to have to discuss it with anyone. At the very least, we should be able to have phones at lunch and empower time so stay updated on events in our lives. Another benefit for having a phone is that with all of the blocked websites on our Chromebooks, it would help us get work done more efficiently with more sites to access. Cellphones would be a great thing to have with us during school for those reasons, but only if they are used properly and at the appropriate time. – freshman Courtney Tillett

Softball enjoys fluffy teammate

Seniors Haley Evans (left) and Taylor Anderson are all smiles with their furry friend. Sunny has been a great motivator for this year’s softball team. Photo by Jocelyn Ratti/ Shorelines

By Sophie Johnson Staff Writer

irst Flight’s mascot may be the Nighthawk, but the softball team has welcomed its own furry friend. Sunny is an 8-month-old Golden Retriever that has been part of the team since the season started. She comes to practice full of energy and gets the players pumped. “I enjoy Sunny being there because she brightens my day,” senior Brittany Kusina said. “I love watching her run around the field having a fun time.” At the beginning of the season, Sunny was scared to get close to the players, but after a few practices she began to open up to them and enjoy their loving belly rubs. “When we stretch in a circle she runs around to everybody and it’s really funny,” freshman Caitlyn Jernigan said. “I just like the energy she has.” While players are having a little snack at the beginning of practice, Sunny waits patiently for somebody to drop a chip. Occasionally she’ll get lucky. Not only does Sunny’s owner, First Flight

softball coach Nancy Brightbill, bring her to see the players, she also uses the experience to get Sunny used to being around people. Thanks to the softball girls, a day on the beach in the summer with all the tourists will be a walk in the park for Sunny. “I bring her to practice to get used to being around people and it’s good for the girls,” Brightbill said. Sunny took team pictures with the Nighthawks and sat still even when the camera flashed. The players have grown very fond of her and she brightens the team’s mood. When

the players aren’t practicing, they try to play with Sunny. “We play fetch with her, but she doesn’t like it. But I love to pet her,” senior Taylor Crumpler said. After a hard day at school, a dog is the perfect thing to raise spirits when the players hit the field. Sunny brings good vibes and happy times to the softball team, and maybe in the future more First Flight teams will follow suit with special mascots. Sophomore Sophie Johnson can be reached at johnsonso0628@daretolearn.org.

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www.highcottonbbq.com Gary Smith – Optician Amos J. Willis, M.D., – Board Certified Ophthalmologist

5320 N. Virginia Dare Trail, Kitty Hawk, North Carolina summer / / 2017

Friends dance their way through Zumba workouts By Buzzy Staten Staff Writer

ere we go now,” says the instructor, bumping her fist to the music, “Five, six, seven, eight!” The music ringing through your ears, the energy bouncing from person to person. Moms, husbands and friends on all sides of you in synchronized movement. Move to the right, jump three times and body roll. As the sweat drips down your forehead, the question comes: Who knew dancing could be such a great workout? Zumba is an aerobic fitness program featuring movements inspired by various styles of Latin American dance and performed primarily to pop or Latin dance music. For the First Flight women’s lacrosse team, Zumba is just another way to stay in shape. For the past two seasons, the players would get together after practice on Tuesdays and Fridays and go to Zumba. “Last year, our coach talked to some of the employees at the YMCA and was able to get a reduced price for non-member la-

crosse players,” senior Ashley Jones said. “So, almost every Friday, especially toward the middle and end of the season, a group of us would go to Zumba after lacrosse practice. It was always so much fun. It really helped us bond as a team.” After an intense Zumba session the team would go and eat at their favorite local restaurant, Mama Kwan’s. “We almost always followed up the workout with some fish tacos and Hawaiian coffee from Mama Kwan’s,” Jones said. Aside from lacrosse team members, many students choose to dance for their workout. Sophomore Codie Patterson went with friends and later shared a tweet about the instructor, who seems to lose herself in the class. “I wish I could be as into myself as Rachel from Zumba,” Patterson tweeted. But for others, the husbands and older adults add to the enjoyment of the class. “It’s hilarious to see boys and older adults getting down and twerking,” junior Kiersten Lewis said.

BO OTY TREATS

Nighthawk News Magazine / / sports

Photo submitted by Renee Thompson Students discovered Zumba classes at the Outer Banks Family YMCA last year and have continued enjoying them together this year. Lewis started taking the class with friends, but gradually realized that she enjoyed it no matter who she was with. “Going with friends is always really fun because Zumba is a fun sort of way to make people go outside of their comfort zone and do some spicy moves that they would normally never do in public,” Lewis said. “Though going with friends is always fun and entertaining, I

don’t mind going by myself because I am familiar with a lot of the people who come to the regular classes.” There are Zumba classes offered four days a week at the Outer Banks Family YMCA in Nags Head. Is is time to get out of your comfort zone and dance a little? Sophomore Buzzy Staten can be reached at statenbu1127@daretolearn.org.

OUTER BA NKS NC

Photo illustration by David Thompson – Photo by Ben Tran/Nighthawk News (Left) J Austin glides through the long jump during a conference championship track meet when he was in eighth grade. Five years later, Austin was participating in the discus and high jump as a senior. The free-spirited Austin leaves First Flight with the school record in high jump.

Austin sets the bar high ... then leaps over it

By Byrde Wells Sports Editor

ith his tall frame, energetic attitude, crazy dreads and signature floral shirts, Jordan Austin, known simply as “J” by many, is somebody that is known for standing out. With Austin, everything from his hobbies, work life and attitude is unique. Austin’s favorite hobby has been something that he was first introduced to at a young age: video games. Ever since Austin’s first encounter with a GameCube, playing video games has been an everyday thing for him. “First time I got a game station was (when I was) 6. It was Christmas morning and I woke up and I saw everybody playing Mario Kart on the GameCube and it was really awesome,” Austin said. “If I was to get all the time back that I did playing video games it would be six months plus.” When it comes to gaming, Austin is quite the picky person, as he likes to stick with his favorite gaming consoles and his favorite games. “I (like) going on the Microsoft platform, I like Xbox a lot,” Austin said. “My favorite games (are) Borderlands Two, Gears of War One and Two, Three, after that it’s pretty trash. (I like) Fallout: all Fallout games are pretty cool.” Austin’s talents far exceed gaming, however, as he is the school record holder in the high jump, a sport he was thrown into during his middle school years. “It was completely Coach Jason’s fault from middle school,” Austin said. “I walked in the first day, he looked at me and said, ‘You’re gonna be a high jumper.’ Next thing you know I’m going against high schoolers when I was in middle school.”

During his eighth-grade year, Austin was invited to the National Junior Olympics for track and field, where he went up against kids from all over the country. “(The Junior Olympics were) scary, all these people watching me,” Austin said. “Imagine our school (population), multiply it by two, and they’re all staring at you. I was literally just shaking, going on a bucket of fried chicken (for lunch). I ended up getting 12th in the nation for high jump, so I guess that’s pretty cool.” Austin played junior varsity basketball and continued with high jump during his freshman and sophomore years of high school, then gave up on the two sports his junior year. Senior year, however, he made his return back to high jumping. “I did stop track because I started sucking really bad sophomore year. I played basketball because it was fun and to mess around with everyone,” Austin said. “This (senior) year I jumped 6-6, but I quit before states because I just wanted the school record.” Throughout the school year, Austin works school nights and weekends, helping cook at Outer Banks Brewing Station. Austin believes this job will help him with his future job endeavors. “I moved up to cooking with my uncle at the Brewing Station for 11 bucks an hour,” Austin said. “It’s a job where I could go places.” After he’s done working, a typical night for Austin consists of either two things: hanging out with his friends or staying up late playing numerous video games and watching an array of different movies. Austin is currently fascinated by ’80s films. “I have found my senior year that I have been drawn to ’80s horror movies,” Austin said.

“I’m watching this one right now called ‘Street Trash’ where these people drink 60-year-old liquor and turn into zombies.” Austin plans to continue working this summer, but hopefully pursue a career in the military once the fall hits. “My future plans are doing something with the military,” Austin said. “Not that I want to do that, it’s just something I can do. (Work for) 20 years, boom, you’re out of there. (I want to) be that old man sippin’ sweet tea on the porch with his one love.” Although Austin looks up to people such as rapper Tyler The Creator, or the infamous Jason Voorhees character from the “Friday the 13th” series, his true role model is someone close to home: his dad. “(My role model has) gotta be my dad. I love all of his views, he’s the only person that when he talks to me and criticizes me I will listen,” Austin said. For someone who describes himself as “friendly, gross, persuasive and rotten,” Austin is far more than meets the eye. He has an energy that is unmatched. “He’s so open, some days I just wanted to sleep and do nothing this summer and he’s like, ‘Come on, man, let’s go do something, let’s go the beach, let’s do this!’ and it helps me out because I realized that I’ve got to go out and have some more action,” said senior Cory Harris, a good friend of Austin. “J Austin is one of the most energetic, exciting people you’ll ever meet. He can change anyone’s mood, he just comes in the room and lightens up the room. Everyone is drawn to him. It drives a lot of people insane, but I love it.” Senior Byrde Wells can be reached at wellsje1210@daretolearn.org. summer / / 2017

Sports superhero saves the day

By Blair Smith Staff Writer

he’s there for every practice, every game and every athlete. She’s relocated knees and elbows. She’s given student-athletes the support and motivation they need on and off of the field. She’s Alyssa Baldauf, and she has worked in the athletic department at First Flight since January of 2015. “I certainly enjoy my work here at First Flight High School,” Baldauf said. “The longer I’ve been here, the more appreciation and respect I get from our student-athletes. Although I work long and sometimes tedious days, the athletes I help make it worth it. Seeing them compete at their best and feel good doing so keeps me going.” Along with helping the student-athletes with their injuries, Baldauf has regular school work to grade and classes to teach. She also keeps up with the athlete filing system. “During the day I teach health and PE for freshmen,” Baldauf said. “I also teach Athletic Training 1 and 2 for upperclassmen for an elective. And I file all of the athletic paperwork and forms.” Although Baldauf teaches, she is a student herself. She is working on getting her teaching license through courses from East Carolina University and has completed four out of her five classes. “Right now, I have an interim teaching license in the N.C. Teach program. This will give me licensure to teach in N.C. in the health and PE department,” Baldauf said. She has always loved sports, and was inspired to pursue this path because of the motivation and support that her own trainers brought her when she was in high school. “In high school I played a lot of sports and was very active, but I was always getting hurt. My athletic trainer helped me get through my athletic injuries,” Baldauf said. “So, I really like being that motivation through emotional and physical support for my students.” Baldauf has helped countless students with their injuries and has provided them with information on how to take care of themselves on and off the field. One of these athletes is senior Ethan Smith. He has suffered many injuries with his NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

wrist, knees, back and shoulder. Baldauf was by his side through it all. “Freshman year I broke my wrist and didn’t tell anyone. This year she made me get surgery,” Smith said. “She made me ride in the ambulance after I tore my MCL and meniscus after a Currituck football game.” Throughout all of her experiences and treating injuries, Baldauf genuinely wants to help her students. “She won’t let you come back until you’re 100 percent, which has helped me become a better athlete because if she didn’t then I would come back too soon,” Smith said. After an intense wrestling practice, Baldauf relocated sophomore Evan McCrory’s knee. “I’m a very injury-prone person, so I got injured a lot, especially during wrestling season,” McCrory said. “Whenever I would get hurt she would always be professional about it and nice, and would always ﬁx me up.” Between her academic and athletic responsibilities, Baldauf devotes many hours of her time to make sure that her athletes stay safe and can play their best. “I have normal teacher duties like grading papers and lesson planning, and then I also have my athletic paperwork and physicals to keep track of,” Baldauf said. “Then just being outside at practices to provide medical coverage each day. There’s deﬁnitely burnout involved in my work. There are long days and sometimes weekends with tournaments and practices, but in the end seeing the student-athletes being healthy, it makes it worth the long hours.” Baldauf loves her job and knows the Nighthawks can’t succeed if they’re not healthy. That’s why she works so hard to get the players back in the game. “When it comes down to it, seeing the kids enjoying the sports they play and just being able to help them get back from whatever injury they may be facing makes my occupation enjoyable,” Baldauf said. “It doesn’t hurt that each day is new and exciting and you never know what challenges or injuries you may face that day.” Sophomore Blair Smith can be reached at smithas0621@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Ben Tran/Nighthawk News Athletic trainer Alyssa Baldauf tapes a student’s injured wrist during class. Baldauf teaches multiple classes at FFHS in addition to her after-school duty.

First Flight Spring Sports Spotlight:

Ashley Jones Senior

What is your favorite thing about lacrosse? I just love the sport! I used to play when I was younger and stopped because it conﬂicted with my travel soccer team. But I’m so happy that I have come back to it and started playing again. What made you decide to play? I had stopped playing soccer after 10th grade, so I was hoping to pick up another spring sport. It just so happened that they started the FFHS women’s lacrosse team during my junior year, so of course I wanted to play. What is your favorite breakfast food? Literally any breakfast food! I’m always down for some breakfast! What is your favorite book? I’m not a big reader, but if I had to pick a favorite book I guess I would choose “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie. What is your dream vacation? Honestly, I would love to go to Northern Italy and ski in the Alps. From there, I would deﬁnitely backpack across Europe. It has always been on my to-do list. Favorite fast food place? Fast food is really not my thing. Only if Panera is included. I have a strange love for Panera! What is your favorite Disney movie? “The Lion King.”

Jennings Baker Senior

Haley Evans Senior

What position do you play? Midﬁelder.

What position do you play? Left ﬁeld.

How did you get into playing lacrosse? In ﬁfth grade, my dad introduced it to me because I was quitting the previous sport I played and kind of forced me to play that year, and my friend Charlie played it.

How long have you been playing softball? 10 years.

How long have you played? Eight years. What is your favorite memory of playing the sport? This year when we had the ﬁrst home playoff game in school history. What is your favorite thing to do before a game? Go home and be by myself so I can get my mind right and focused. What is one food that you would never give up? Probably chicken wings. Who is your favorite music artist/song? “Sorry for the Wait” by Lil Wayne. Who is your celebrity dream date? Selena Gomez. If you won a million dollars what would you do? I would buy a small private island somewhere.

What is your favorite part about playing? Having a family. What is the funniest thing that has happened to you over this season? Being in the outﬁeld and going for a ﬂy ball and falling. What is your favorite thing to do before games? Play pepper, which is when the whole team lines up with their gloves and tries to throw the ball at the one person standing up with the bat to try to get them out. What is your favorite movie? “The Wizard of Oz.” Who is your celebrity crush? Scott Eastwood. What is your dream vacation? Horseback riding on the coast of California. What is your favorite catchphrase? “Teamwork makes the dream work” or “You’ve got to risk it to get the biscuit.” What is your favorite food? Spaghetti.

Luke Golliday Senior

How long have you been playing? Since I was 6, so 12 years, and I played in the Babe Ruth league at Kitty Hawk. What made you start playing baseball? My brothers and my family. What is your favorite part about playing? My teammates and getting to hang around people you don’t normally hang around. Who is your celebrity dream date? Angelina Jolie, no doubt. What is your favorite song? “Everyday Struggle” by Notorious B.I.G. Where is your favorite place to eat? My house. What are you going to miss most about the season ending? My teammates and being around my homies. What is your favorite movie? “Half Baked.” If you could bring two things to a deserted island, what would they be? A girl and a survival book. What is your dream job? To be like Indiana Jones.

summer / / 2017

Q&A with Nighthawk senior stars

Jonathan Lawson Senior

How long have you been playing tennis? 10 years. What got you into the sport? My mother. What is your favorite part about playing? Having fun. What is your dream pet? Liger. What is your favorite movie? “Star Wars,” the real one where Han shot ﬁrst. What is your favorite OBX restaurant? My house. What is your favorite ice cream ﬂavor? Stracciatella. What is your dream job? Dragon hunter. If you could have one super-power, what would you want it to be? To walk into a gym and have all the weights re-racked properly. If you had a million dollars what would you do with it? I would invest in stocks.

Alana Bissell Senior

Nina Perry Senior

What events do you run? I run the 4x100 meters, 4x200, 100 meters and 200 meters.

How long have you been playing soccer? About 11 years.

How long have you run? What’s your favorite thing about it? I’ve been running since seventh grade. I like breaking records.

How did you get into it? My mom wanted me to play and she was my coach, and the more I played the more I loved it.

What are you going to miss most? I’ll miss the track meets and riding the bus the most. What is your favorite song? Either the new Miley song “Malibu” or anything by Michael Jackson. What is your favorite holiday? 4th of July, because it’s fun and warm and I like cookouts and stuff like that. What is one place you would travel to right now? Mexico. What is your favorite sundae topping? Hot fudge. What is your favorite movie? Either “Stand by Me” or “The Outsiders.” If you could be any animal, what would it be? Black panther, because they’re super pretty.

What was your favorite memory from your high school career? Senior homecoming and winning a state championship. What are you going to miss most? High school sports and the beach. Do you have any future plans including soccer? I’ll be playing soccer in college at Cape Fear and hopefully transferring to another school after two years and play there also. Where is your favorite place to eat? Blue Moon or Kill Devil Grill. What is your dream job? Physical therapist and/or dietitian. Who is your favorite music artist? Mac Miller, probably. If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it? Travel the world, no doubt.

Cole Basnight Senior

What made you want to golf? I would go to Florida twice a year and I played because I was little and had nothing to do. What made you want to play basketball? My dad really got me into basketball. I was like 2 years old. What is your favorite part about golf? Just being able to get out there, and at times it can be peaceful. What is your favorite part about basketball? Deﬁnitely offense and rebounds. Who is your celebrity crush? Jennifer Lopez – gotta love J Lo. What is your favorite song? “Separate Ways” by Journey. What is the best pre-game snack? Skittles. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be? Bora Bora: beautiful water and living on little shacks on the ocean. If you became a millionaire, what would you do? First, I’d buy my mom a Range Rover, because she said I had to do that. Then I would buy a Shelby, invest half of it, and donate the rest to charity.

Photos by Aaron Jennings, Michaela Kelly, Hayley Miller and Koral Tucker Reporting by Olivia O’Steen and Reagan Pearson NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

Book in Advance to Get Your Chance So You Are Not the Only One that Doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Escape the Outer Banks!!

15% discount for FFHS students and staff who book during our Grand Opening period between May 30 and June 30

10% locals discount!

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / summer / / 2017