Spring 2021 Nighthawk News Magazine by Steve Hanf

ON THE COVER

etting your driver’s license is an exciting time in your life. It marks another stepping stone that leads you one step closer to adulthood. If you have been here, then you know what we are talking about, and if you haven’t, then you will soon enough. The day you get your license is chock full of emotions; excitement, nervousness, anticipation and happiness. You get to the DMV early and wait in line, running all the different scenarios of how your driver’s test will go in your head. Do you remember all the traffic signs? Is your driving instructor going to be nice? What if you mess up? Driving is usually a factor of excitement for teenagers. However, many of the issues that revolve around driving are lost in the luster of it all – until an accident happens. Recently on the Outer Banks, many of our lives have been touched by the negative effects of driving, as there have been several accidents that have hit a little too close to home, including one involving our beloved staff writer, Tatum Love. This accident also reminded us of a story planned in memory of the accident at the Colington stoplight involving five teenagers in 1999. Last year in March, our print issue that was never released due to COVID-19 was going to be centered on the 21st anniversary of the tragic Colington intersection accident. Our photographer, Taylor Newton, captured amazing shots of the intersection and the cross that stays there in memory of the four girls who lost their lives. That old March edition has now morphed into our first print edition of this school year, which took a deeper look at the issues involving driving, including drinking and driving, issues caused by traffic,

An endless stream of trafﬁc zips through the intersection of Colington Road and the bypass less than a mile from First Flight High School. While most teens can’t wait to get a driver’s license, many also worry about staying safe following a series of high-proﬁle car accidents in the community.

Photo by Taylor Newton/ Nighthawk News

current changes in DMV regulations when it comes to getting a license during COVID-19, and the effects that accidents have on all sides. This overall theme was the obvious choice for the cover, and if we had any doubts about the dangers of driving, they quickly were put to rest. Even while organizing the stories and pages for this edition, students were still getting in accidents. Some involved drinking and driving and others were due to the crazy, soon-to-be summer trafﬁc. Just this past weekend, a car drove off Colington Road into the sound, while later that day, another huge crash

occurred on the bypass with a vehicle flipped upside down and first responders arriving to pick up the pieces once again. It felt exceptionally appropriate to highlight some of these stories and educate our readers on many of the issues that we usually repress in the back of our minds when we think about driving. And, of course, we have a wide variety of other informational and entertaining stories throughout the paper. Our staff thanks you for taking the time to read Nighthawk News’ first print edition of the 20-21 school year. Enjoy! – Cassie and Katie

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NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWS 4 Driving on the OBX Watching a classmate overcome a scary crash is just part of the story as Nighthawk News explores what can make driving a dangerous activity.

Cassie Honeycutt sheds light on driving under the inﬂuence and the impact it has on students.

FEATURES 12 Prom is on as COVID-19 fears ease After an unprecedented year, First Flight attempts a prom night with a mask-erade theme at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, exciting students throughout the school.

Audrey Lovell discusses teenage entrepreneurs making waves on the OBX with small businesses. Samuel Smith and McRae Walker introduce you to our Artists in the Spotlight.

OPINIONS 24 Sounding off on books, music and more! Daisy Morales Bravo discusses the best plants to create a beautiful garden this spring. Paulina Goping reviews her 10 favorite books that you should check out during your relaxing time at the beach. Michael Pearson shares the secret of why teens are not interested in the board games their parents grew up to love.

SPORTS 30 Size matters: FFHS makes jump to 3A Learn how First Flight will be shifting to the 3A classiﬁcation for sports next year.

Kayla Hallac dives into the details on freshman Gray Miller, a unique member of the swim team. Eight athletes sound off in our fun Sports Card Q-and-A session.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / on the cover

Love’s family, friends deal with aftermath of accident

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Members of the Outer Banks community join together at Aviation Park in prayer and well-wishes for Tatum Love on Jan. 27, the day after the accident took place.

By Peyton Dickerson Online Editor-in-Chief

here’s nothing quite as haunting as the feeling of shock and confusion that ensues after finding out one of your classmates was critically injured in a car accident. Your face gets hot. Your brain becomes foggy. You clench your fists in shock and denial. You need to do something. You need to blame someone. This almost incommunicable feeling was one felt by the friends, peers and even distant acquaintances of junior Tatum Love after learning that she was involved in a car accident on Jan. 26. The unthinkable happened – here, to someone well known throughout the school – and the Outer Banks community took immediate action. Posts were quickly shared on social media regarding the importance of wearing a seatbelt while riding in a vehicle – Love was not wearing hers while riding in the back seat – while other posts immediately jumped to speculation about the cause of the rollover wreck on the bypass in Kill Devil Hills. People are still struggling to make sense of the crash, and litigation involving both parties in the crash remains ongoing, making answers that much harder to come by. It’s normal to feel anger, and even denial, when tragedy strikes so close to home. Although Love survived a scary week in the ICU at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and continues moving forward in her recovery, the accident’s toll on the mental health of her friends, family and peers remains an uphill battle. “This experience continues to test our limits. Especially as it relates to the idea of patience,” the family wrote on its CaringBridge site, where updates on Love have been posted

since the accident. “Real patience under these circumstances has proven to be both unexplainably difficult yet astonishingly useful … absolutely necessary.” Love’s friends rallied after the accident, spending days at the hospital, launching a GoFundMe account that raised more than $100,000 and working tirelessly to support the family and keep their friend’s fight front and center with T-shirts, stickers, social media tributes and more. As Love continues to recover, though, questions linger. “At first I felt a lot of guilt, like, ‘Why her and not me, I should’ve taken the back seat,’ ” said junior Peyton McCleary, Love’s friend who was in the car when the accident took place. “It was extremely difficult witnessing something so tragic while I only had a bruise to show for it.” McCleary has spent a lot of time pondering the events from Jan. 26 and how they could have gone differently. “I wish I would have told her to buckle up. I wish I would’ve told her how much she means to me. I wish I hugged her a little tighter,” McCleary said. “But I know that if anything that night had gone differently, the accident wouldn’t have happened.” And that’s something that will continue to nag at everyone during these trying times. “The smallest, most minuscule decisions we make in our lives can lead up to massive consequences,” McCleary said. “So instead of thinking of ways I could change the past, I think of ways we can prevent them in the future.” As Love works toward a scheduled homecoming following months of rehab in Atlanta, friends and family will continue to overcome their own challenges while also advocating for her recovery every day. “All my love and support goes to

Photo submitted by Peyton McCleary

Junior Fiona McKenna prepares ‘Love is Strong’ T-shirts and stickers to be picked up by community members in support of Tatum Love. McKenna designed the apparel and organized the fundraiser to help raise money for the Love family’s GoFundMe page.

the Love family. They are so much stronger than they’ll ever know,” McCleary said. “So always buckle your seatbelt, stop at stop signs and check

both ways.” Senior Peyton Dickerson can be reached at 21dickersonpe28@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

#BRISTRONG

#TLOVESTRONG

Class of ‘22 endures double dose of heartache

e safe, wear a helmet. Be smart, wear your seatbelt. Both are sayings we’ve been hearing since we can remember. But it isn’t until something life-changing happens to someone we love that we truly realize how important these sayings are. When my class was in sixth grade, Bri Blumenthal was hit by a car while biking home from Dare County Parks and Recreation, where we would go almost every day after school. On Nov. 23, 2016, the driver was traveling west on Colington Road and ran a red light at the intersection of Veterans Drive, hitting Bri, who was riding on her bicycle, not wearing a helmet. I was at Parks and Rec with her and was picked up by my mom minutes before the accident. I always thought to myself, what if I had asked her if she needed a ride home? What if my mom came 10 minutes later? So many different scenarios ran through my head of all the ways I could have prevented it. It took me a long time, but I finally realized I couldn’t have known, and it was never my fault. First responders arrived minutes after the accident, and Bri was flown to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. She was put on life support due to a large amount of brain swelling. She passed away only three days later. Being only 11 and 12 years old, my peers and myself had no concept of death. All we knew was that we would never see Bri again. The Outer Banks community is a family. Immediately, people were rallying support for Bri. The Bri Bri Foundation was created to make sure every child in Dare County had a helmet, and an event was held at the Outer Banks Brewing Station where Bri’s friends and family were encouraged to speak of fond memories of her. Bri’s close friend, Beverly Espinosa, said: “I just want to say thank you to Bri for the honor of letting me call her my best friend.” All these years later, we remember Bri by celebrating her life every day. Every Nov. 26 for the past five years, Bri’s friends and I have gone to the beach to throw purple flowers in the ocean and add

Photo submitted by Fiona McKenna

Tatum Love enjoys a swim in the ocean during the heat of summer, one of her favorite activities. The junior continues to make progress in her recovery from January’s car accident and is set to return home just in time for the start of summer.

a decoration or two to the “Bri Strong” sign at the crosswalk on Veterans Drive. Five years later, another member from the Class of 2022 was involved in a car accident. On Jan. 26, 16-year-old Tatum Love was riding with friends in a Jeep Wrangler when an accident caused the Jeep to flip six times. Tatum, who was in the back seat without a seatbelt, flew out of the car. Memories of the crash still haunt junior Peyton McCleary, who had been in the front seat of the Jeep: “I knew from the moment that Volvo started merging into the middle lane that we were gonna crash. The last words I remember saying were, ‘Anthony, he’s gonna hit us.’ All I could do was cover my head, brace for impact, and tell myself to stay alive. As soon as the car stopped flipping, I turned around and Tatum was gone. Thank God we landed upright; if not, we might not have been able to get to Tatum fast enough. Everything happened so fast, there was no time to think, just act. That’s when your fight or flight instincts kick in. It was the rawest moment of my life.” Tatum was taken to Norfolk Sentara General Hospital via ambulance, where she spent days fighting for her life with massive head trauma. As she fought for her life, Tatum showed us just how strong a person she is, and that strength was shown every day as she made more and more progress. The day after the accident, Tatum’s friends and I

waited at the hospital for news. It was very hard for us to understand exactly what had happened to her. A family friend, Dr. Matt McKenna, told us that it was really hard to survive something like this and if she did there would be extreme complications. He said it would take a miracle. It didn’t take long for this miracle to happen, as Tatum took a few steps forward every day. She was moved to Shepherd Center in Atlanta on Feb. 17, which is among the best programs for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the world. It is the single largest facility of its kind. Amid Tatum’s fight toward recovery, Tatum’s dad, Billy Love said: “All Tatum does is fight like hell and embrace the struggle to get better every minute of every day and has done so from the minute this whole thing happened. It may not be a straight line and there have obviously been setbacks and challenges beyond her control, but every time she gets knocked down she just gets back up, climbs back in the ring for another round. All of it with a smile on her face and genuine love in her heart for others.” Going through something like this not once, but twice, has been the hardest thing my peers and I have ever dealt with, but it has made us grow. Life is short and fragile and can be taken in the blink of an eye. If we learned anything from these experiences, it’s to never take anything for granted and always say I love you. Bri and Tatum Strong. Junior Fiona Finchem can be reached at 22finchemfi99@daretolearn.org.

Submitted Photo from GoFundMe/Shorelines File Photo

Community members placed bouquets of ﬂowers, supportive signs and stuffed animals at the crosswalk at Veterans Drive and Colington Road to honor the life of Bri Blumenthal, who was killed Thanksgiving week during her sixth-grade year when crossing the street on her bike.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

Local crashes offer a sobering reminder By Cassie Honeycutt Editor-in-Chief

pril 6, 1999, was the day Melissa Marvin, an intoxicated 29-year-old, ran a red light and slammed into a black Chevrolet Cavalier ﬁlled with ﬁve 17-year-old friends. Megan Blong, Amanda Geiger, Shana Lawler and Angela McGrady died in that crash, while Michael Horner survived with critical injuries. Thousands of cars a day stream past the white cross that stands at the corner of the bypass at the Colington/ Ocean Boulevard light. Growing up here, seeing the cross every day while waiting for the light to change after school is released, hearing the stories – all of that has increased First Flight students’ awareness of the issue of driving while intoxicated. But has it decreased the likelihood of teenagers driving drunk? Has it made students think about how one decision can change countless lives forever? “I was sick to my stomach, literally physically ill,” recalled Maggie Blong of her reaction to hearing the news that her daughter had been killed in the crash. “I couldn’t concentrate, eat or sleep. I couldn’t do anything. I was totally focused on that loved one that I lost, totally focused on Megan.” Maggie Blong’s life changed forever that day. Lives of all the victims’ relatives were shattered. But Melissa Marvin, her family and friends saw their lives changed forever that day, as well. “The woman in that case who caused that wreck was charged and convicted of four counts of second-degree murder and she was sentenced to about 45 to 60 years in prison,” said District Court Judge Robert Trivette, who served as the prosecutor of this case. “She probably will never get out of prison. So her life is ruined, four innocent teenagers lost their lives, and their families’ lives were forever changed for the worse.” Every day, accidents like this one

still occur. Some involve alcohol and some don’t, but people’s lives are still being changed forever, including First Flight’s own Tatum Love. Jan. 26, 2021, was the day the Jeep Wrangler containing Love and two of her friends was involved in an accident and flipped multiple times. The driver and front passenger were wearing seat belts. Love, in the back, was not. She was thrown from the Jeep and suffered life-threatening injuries. Students knew of the Colington intersection accident involving the five teenagers, but Love’s accident was different. Love’s accident shed new light on the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt. The words “put your seatbelt on” quickly became a popular phrase among the Outer Banks community. “I think it takes a legitimate accident or someone you know very well to make an impact on people’s lives,” junior Fiona Finchem said. “Before Tatum’s accident, it wasn’t a force of habit for me to put my seatbelt on in the backseat. Now, everyone I know makes it their first priority getting in the car.” Finchem is not only good friends with Love, but is also a victim of an accident caused by a drunk driver – an event that left her shaken, coming so soon after the Love crash. “I was sitting at the First Street red light waiting to turn left when a lady coming from the north turned right and ran right into the front of my car. She blew a .13 (blood alcohol content) and my car was totaled,” Finchem explained. “I have always known drinking and driving was wrong, but when something happens to you, you know for sure you will never do it because it’s unsafe and even when you think you can do it, you probably can’t.” Through the accident, Finchem learned that people easily make excuses to try to make driving while intoxicated seem acceptable. “It’s a straight shot everywhere you go. You are so comfortable with

Photo by Michael Pearson/Nighthawk News

This month marked the 22nd anniversary of the crash that killed four teenagers at the Colington Road/Ocean Boulevard stoplight on the bypass. As the years have passed and awareness of the danger of drunk driving has increased, DUI arrests remain commonplace.

your surroundings and I think that is why people make excuses for driving under the inﬂuence,” Finchem explained. “Most of us have lived here the majority of our lives and know the beach’s layout like the back of our hand.” Finchem knows how easy it is for people to make excuses to justify drinking and driving. But she also knows once you make that decision, it affects more than just you. However, in the times of modern technology, there are easy ways to keep someone from getting behind the wheel of a car while drunk, including Uber and taxi services. “One day something bad might happen, and they’re gonna regret it. I think paying $15 for an Uber is much better than getting behind the wheel intoxicated and causing a potential accident,” Finchem said. These accidents have made an extreme impact on Finchem and others in her friend group. “I think that if anyone ever did (drink and drive), they would hate themselves for it. I always tell myself, ‘I’m never ever going to drink and drive. I won’t get behind the wheel,’ ” Finchem said. “Wherever I am, seatbelts are going to be on and that is a

promise I made myself, and hopefully I won’t ever break it.” Considering the consequences of breaking promises like those is what Maggie Blong tries to promote and encourage at PreciousGemsMemorial. com. The website tells the story of that tragic April day on the Outer Banks, shares the heart-wrenching victim impact statements that were read at Marvin’s trial, and provides videos and guides to help teens make better choices today. With such serious consequences, it’s easy to assume that fewer people would choose to drive while impaired. The National Highway Trafﬁc Safety Administration estimates that drunk driving deaths have fallen by a third in the last 30 years. Yet, DUI crashes still kill more than 10,000 people a year in the United States. “About eight teens die each day in this country from automobile accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in this country,” Trivette said. “When you add in alcohol, then it gets even more dangerous. Please act with some sense and be careful.” Senior Cassie Honeycutt can be reached at 21honeycuttca35@daretolearn.org.

Despite awareness, ad campaigns and rideshares,

runk driving has become an extremely taboo subject, but in reality, it’s one of the most important conversations we can have as teenagers. Traditional spring events like prom and graduation often start conversations about drunk driving, and it’s crucial that we face the facts and realize how dangerous drinking and driving really is. The National Highway Trafﬁc Safety Administration states that almost 30 people die in drunk driving crashes

every day in the U.S. That’s one person every 50 minutes. If this doesn’t make you stop and think for a second, I don’t

know what will. One of the biggest consequences associated with drinking and driving in society is a DUI or DWI – a criminal offense that stands for driving under the inﬂuence or driving while intoxicated. These citations can cost thousands of dollars, result in loss of license and stay on your record forever. But the thing that needs to really be understood is the sheer danger involved in drunk driving, not only for the driver, but for the innocent people.

In 1980, Candy Lightner found out her 13-year-old daughter was killed by a drunk driver while on her way to a church carnival. The driver had an extensive list of previous arrests due to intoxication, and had been arrested for a hit-and-run drunk driving offense only a week earlier. In turn, Lightner began the organization MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving). Much like the driver who hit and killed Lightner’s daughter, so many people have repeat DUIs. My biggest

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

Center (lane) of attention: Do you use it correctly?

By Emmy Benton Staff Writer

uicide lanes...” Doesn’t really sound like a road you want to drive on, right? That’s what the center turn lane is sometimes called, because it has traffic coming into it from both directions, making it dangerous at times for drivers. Corporal Darrell Brickhouse with the Southern Shores Police Department said Outer Banks drivers have a big issue with turn lane misuse. He attributes it to four main reasons. “The turn lane gets used to merge in and out of traffic, some use it as a travel lane, others do not use the turn lane at all – which is very dangerous – and pedestrians use the turn lane as a leapfrog to cross a five-lane road,” Brickhouse said. These misuses of the turning lane become even more prevalent during the summer because of the busy tourist season. “I think just as many locals misuse the turn lane as the visitors. It seems that during the summer months, the locals become impatient due to the higher volume of traffic and tend to use the turn lane incorrectly to pass slow-moving cars in frustration,” Brickhouse said. “The same goes for the visitors. They also become impatient and in a hurry, so they believe the turn lane can be used to accommodate their needs.” There is also a problem with drivers not knowing how to use the turn lane, or listening to their GPS instead of following the signs on the road. People might see their destination up ahead and get into the turn lane to travel into their turn, but this makes it unsafe for other people who need to get into the turn lane. With more people using the turn lane incorrectly and more cars on the roads, accidents are more likely to occur. “The entire county will have an increase of traffic crashes in the summertime due to the improper use of the turn lane,” Brickhouse said. This is scary for everyone, but especially for residents who drive on the bypass every day. Long-time community member Nancy Brown agreed with Brickhouse that there is an issue with people misusing the turn lane. She said the center turn lane is dangerous, and this affects how she drives. “It’s very rare that I will ever get in that middle lane to pull out or anything like that,” Brown said. The bypass was completely different when Brown first moved here. It was two lanes, and this held up traffic every time someone needed to make a turn. It took longer to turn left or right, so adding the center turn lane, plus two more lanes on either side, made

Graphic by Michael Pearson/Nighthawk News

It’s common to see drivers use the turn lane as a way to merge onto the bypass, especially during the busy summer season, but that creates a dangerous situation for motorists already on the bypass who also may be getting ready to turn.

traffic flow more efficiently. But as mentioned previously, having that center lane brings challenges of its own. “There are a lot of accidents on this strip because of people who use that center lane,” Brown said. “Instead of using it for a turn lane, they think it’s a passing lane.” When people use the turn lane as a passing lane, it causes the bypass to be more hazardous than it should be. The left lane is the designated passing lane, with the right lane being the travel lane. “The purpose of a turn lane is to turn in to and to turn out of,” Brickhouse said. “It is not a merge lane, nor a lane to drive in to get a few streets down.” Visitors also may not be used to the turn lane and become confused as to how locals use it. Claire Molitoris came to the Outer Banks in the summer of 2018 from Pennsylvania to take part in an internship program, and she thinks the center turn lane is confusing for drivers who aren’t from here. She says that locals use the turn lane in a way she isn’t used to, accelerating to move into an opening in the left-hand lane. “I think the acceleration (is the biggest issue) because of the danger that presents with people just

trying to pick up speed and not really paying attention to what else might be around,” Molitoris said. Brickhouse said the most important thing about driving and using the turn lane is for people to pay attention to what’s going on around them. Most crashes can be avoided by drivers paying attention, using turn signals, not following too closely, and slowing to stop at yellow lights instead of accelerating and running through them. He also emphasized that drivers should remember to not use their cell phones and never drive under the inﬂuence. According to the National Highway Trafﬁc Safety Administration, 36,096 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2019. The National Safety Council reported that in 2020, more than 4.7 million people were injured in vehicle crashes, with preliminary numbers showing an 8% increase in motor vehicle deaths to 42,000. “We as law enforcement want to see these numbers at zero,” Brickhouse said. “By being a safe driver, paying attention in drivers’ education, following the speed limit and being responsible, we can hopefully get these numbers to zero.” Sophomore Emmy Benton can be reached at 23bentonem58@daretolearn.org.

people still risk it all by driving under the inﬂuence concern is the cyclical nature of DUIs. Why aren’t the consequences more severe so that drinking and driving is actually prevented? The consequences that come with DUIs should be so strictly enforced that drivers who have a DUI on their record shouldn’t even think about drinking and driving again. They should learn the dangers of their mistake and how it was potentially deadly. While I do agree with giving people second chances, those with multiple NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

DUI offenses should face consequences based on their circumstance – whether that be jail time or loss of license for longer periods of time. It is so easy for anyone, teenager or adult, to get behind the wheel after having a few drinks. But the reality is, alcohol impairs brain function. So that split-second decision to brake at a red light could be more deadly than it appears. The consequences of drinking and driving still seem so unknown. The

more awareness we spread about the subject, the more beneﬁcial it will be for all of us in the future, especially teenagers. It’s the little things, like trying out the drunk goggles in health class, or getting involved with our own club against drunk driving, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), that are critical. And it’s bigger things, too, really challenging things – like calling out a friend or classmate who’s had too much to drink and trying to stop them from

driving home, or letting them know that just because they made it home safely last night doesn’t mean they should try it again. More than 10,000 people on average die every year in the U.S. due to intoxicated drivers. That’s a terrifyingly high number. The decision to call an Uber or crash at a friend’s place instead of getting behind the wheel is vital, and potentially life-saving. Junior Maren Ingram can be reached at 22ingramma01@daretolearn.org.

License challenges greet new drivers By Emma Braithwaite Staff Writer

fter a year of having your permit, it is ﬁnally time to get your license. You go to the DMV and walk inside. They take your information and just like that you have your license, no tests required. This is how many teenagers are getting their licenses now thanks to COVID-19. After social distancing was put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help stop the spread of COVID-19, driving tests were waived. This allowed new teen drivers to get a license without having to take any tests. Many students, such as sophomore Kurt Felthousen, were excited about not having to take the test right away. “I like it because it wasn’t as stressful,” Felthousen said. “I probably would have passed anyway, but it was nice that there was less stress.” After having a license for six months, students can go back to the DMV to get their “after 9s.” This allows new drivers to drive with more than one person in the car and drive any

time of the day or night. Many DMVs are starting to offer contactless road tests, which will allow teenagers to get their “after 9s” in a COVID-friendly way. Contactless road tests are held in a parking lot with an examiner giving the driver directions from outside the vehicle. Taking the driving test after already having your license for six months is a big difference from having to take it before you ever get your license. For instance, sophomore Brooke Hymiller isn’t as concerned about having to take the driving test in the future. “I’ve learned a lot more about driving from having my license,” Hymiller said. “I don’t think the test will be that hard.” While the teenagers are happy about getting their licenses without having to take the driving test, teens driving by themselves without having experience can be concerning. “Some people might not be the best at driving, yet they are just handing them out,” Hymiller said. Another negative about the driver’s test being waived is that many people’s

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

The driver’s ed car is normally seen around the school area teaching each high schooler the rules of the road. Due to COVID-19, classes at the school are backlogged and DMV ofﬁces across the state have countless teens needing permits, restricted and full licenses.

“after 9s” have been delayed. The DMV only recently started doing contactless road tests, and not every location is doing them yet. Many students, such as junior Mia Albright, haven’t been able to get their less-restrictive license yet. “I got my license on Sept. 9 last year and I was supposed to get my ‘after 9s’ on March 9,” Albright explained. “I am kind of sad I haven’t gotten it yet

because it limits how many people can be in the car with me.” Despite the challenges, teenagers are still happy when their big day comes. “I enjoy the freedom and convenience of it,” Felthousen said. “It’s really nice having my license.” Sophomore Emma Braithwaite can be reached at 23braithwaiteem06@ daretolearn.org.

National Honor Society strives for community unity

By McRae Walker Opinions Editor

he National Honor Society is an organization that rewards students for academic achievement and motivation. Aside from being a name that colleges look for, it serves as a form of recognition for those who desire it, and an opportunity to help out their community. As with many organizations, COVID-19 has created and continues to create challenges that NHS members and leaders have never experienced before, but the work ethic of members has persevered. “After the ‘in and out’ (of school), we had a delayed induction,” current NHS sponsor Susan Sawin said. “We know we have students that want to be there, so they’re easy to work with.” One change that the NHS has made due to COVID-19 is the overall group service project. In past years, the organization would have one overarching community service project, but this year it has been divided into multiple smaller ones. So far there have been two of these “monthly service projects.” The ﬁrst was an online interpretation of “Read Across America” for the various elementary schools in Dare County. Members sent a video of them-

Photo submitted by Laura Piland

Elementary school students watch a virtual book reading provided by NHS members. Videos were provided to multiple grade schools for Read Across America since high school students were unable to read in the schools like they usually do.

selves reading a children’s book, and a number of volunteer members organized the videos into a slideshow to be presented to the elementary students. The children could then pick which story they wanted to be read to them.

“This year has just been disappointment after disappointment for many, and these little kids just got back into school,” said senior Lydia Surprenant, who initially pitched the idea for the mini service project. “I thought this

would bring some sense of joy to them during Dr. Seuss week.” The second was a supply drive for the local SPCA and the animals there. Students not only provided areas to drop off items for the drive, but also supplied items themselves, created signs to promote the drive and even ﬁlmed a self-made advertisement. “We went to the practice football ﬁeld with a rough script and kind of an idea of how we wanted to go about it,” senior Lexi Foster said. “But it seemed like we got great content.” The drive took place from March 22 to April 2, with NHS managing to provide a number of donations to the new shelter in Manteo. Although there have only been two of these mini projects completed, a third is already in the works. On top of the monthly projects, members must participate in 12 hours of community service independently, which is a reduced amount of hours compared to previous years due to COVID-19. However, the NHS is doing everything possible to live up to its reputation despite the changes. “The most important thing is community service,” Sawin said.“I’m thrilled that we can still provide some real service to the community.” Senior McRae Walker can be reached at 21walkermc92@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

From Hollywood to the OBX: Movie producers highlighting local talent

By Versailles Dalessio Features Editor

s it often that a national movie is filmed on the Outer Banks, yet alone features local teenagers who are eager to act? Not exactly. However, it has been announced that a new wrestling film, “Call Sign Romeo,” is being filmed right here in Dare County from late March stretching into May. With all the available positions looking to be filled – background extras of all ages, lead roles, high school students on the sidelines – producers were seeking out male wrestlers, one of whom is a First Flight graduate, Chris Pokorny. “Two years ago, my dad discovered a little producing company in Manteo and they wanted to film a wrestling-type trailer so it could help them start somewhere,” Pokorny said. “They produced a whole bunch of short films and stuff, so they decided to make this trailer as well. My dad pushed me to try out for the lead role, and I later found out that I got the part.” This wasn’t necessarily new to Pokorny. Starting at an early age, he grew fond of acting and considered it one of his passions. Since then, he has always been eager to pursue a theatrical career and step out of his comfort zone if it means getting him one step closer to achieving his goals. “I’ve wanted to be an actor for a long time, and since we now have Hollywood producers helping us with this, the film might have a chance of actually getting somewhere,” Pokorny explained. “And if it actually does go somewhere, then it might have the potential to start a career for me, and I’ll be able to become what I’ve always wanted to since I was younger.” The film is based on a high school wrestler named Chris Torres, who is navigating his way through senior year. The film focuses on his ambitions to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and win the state championship for wrestling.

On the movie website (CallSignRomeo.com), the film is described this way: “It’s ‘Creed’ meets ‘Top Gun’ as high school wrestler Chris Torres pursues his dream to fly jets at the U.S. Naval Academy. “He’ll need to win a state championship, while navigating the challenges of his senior year, including his girlfriend going to West Point, a nemesis they call Kid Hulk, and Navy SEAL trainers that stand in his way. “With all the drama and action, will Chris achieve his goal of becoming a Navy fighter pilot?” While being cast as the main character might be thrilling, Pokorny still had his doubts in taking on this responsibility. “There’s a scene in the movie where I’m supposed to ride a motorcycle, and so I attended a motorcycle safety class for it,” Pokorny said. “When I finished with that, I was supposed to go to the DMV and get a motorcycle permit, but I found out I had to wait until April instead. And while I’m looking forward to obtaining one, I’m also nervous because I’ve only ridden a motorcycle twice in my life.” On the other hand, Pokorny isn’t only concerned for his safety, but the level of skill he’ll have to master throughout his performance. “I’m pretty nervous about my acting because I love doing it and though I know I’m not bad at it, I’m not necessarily the best at it, either,” Pokorny said. “I’m just trying my best not to worry about it and hoping that everything goes smoothly during the production.” With that being said, Pokorny isn’t the only one who might end up on the big screen one day thanks to this film. Producers held a casting call for other actors and musicians to contribute to the soundtrack. Non-paid background extras were needed for crowd shots during wrestling scenes, plus high school-aged students in the hallways

Music study year-round

Piano, Guitar, Voice, Winds and more All styles, all ages NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

The movie poster for new local film ‘Call Sign Romeo’ contains sights familiar to Outer Banks locals. The movie features recent FFHS graduate Chris Pokorny in the role of Chris Torres, a high school wrestler with eyes on flying fighter jets for the Navy.

Music study year-round

and other wrestlers for the bench. be top dog.” They might not be big roles, but Junior Versailles Dalessio can be Piano, Guitar, Voice, and more like the movie tagline says, “You’ve reached Winds at 22dalessiove31@daretolearn. Alltostyles, got to start somewhere if you want org. all ages

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Excellence in Music Teaching and Learning

Businesses prepare for another busy summer

By Morgan Deane Staff Writer

espite the bridges being closed for weeks at the beginning of the season last year, many businesses actually had record years and a longer season than seen in the past. Small businesses and well-known attractions alike saw tourists arrive in huge numbers almost immediately after reopening to the public. According to outerbanks.org, 2.6 million people visited Hatteras Island National Seashore in 2020, compared to only 2.4 million in 2017. Outer Banks Boarding Company owner Lynn Shell saw his surf shop’s business reach a record high last year regardless of the six-week closure of the bridges. His business boomed as soon as the bridges opened, a blessing in disguise despite the COVID restrictions. “The amount of business that we did after reopening more than superseded what we lost when we were closed,” Shell said. “It was a fantastic year, probably the best year we’ve had since pre-2007.” And many businesses stayed busy well into the fall and winter months. “Once we were open to the public, it picked up and never stopped,” Shell said. Restaurants were also hit with large crowds despite the new restrictions to slow the spread of COVID. Junior Allegra Mackenzie-Reece works at the Outer Banks Brewing Station, and she, like many

others, had to adapt to the uncertain times. “The Brewing Station took a lot of precautions. We had all employees wear a mask as soon as we reopened, we sanitized literally everything, we moved our menus online, we went to half capacity and socially distanced our tables and bar seating,” Mackenzie-Reece said. “When the NC mask mandate was put into place, we didn’t let anyone in who wasn’t wearing a mask.” Now, many businesses are preparing for another record-breaking season after a record-breaking spring break. “It’s possible we’ll be busier than last year,” Shell said. “I think it’s gonna open up and never slow down. People are already renting weekly houses and coming from all over the country.” Mackenzie-Reece has also thought about this season: “I think this summer is going to be incredibly busy. People are still stuck in the US, but restrictions are less strict and we’re a driving destination, so people don’t have to fly here.” There are lots of questions surrounding how this tourist season is going to go: Will masks still be required? Is there a risk of another outbreak? As the beginning of the season gets closer and closer, the answers to those questions will become clear. “The staff and everyone seemed to hold up really well last year, even as we got into August, September and October,” Shell said. “It stayed busy all the way until the end of the year and I’m sure

Photo by Maren Ingram/Nighthawk News

The parking lot of the Outer Banks Brewing Station quickly fills as visitors rush to get dinner. Businesses are in full swing preparing for the busiest time of the year.

this year will be the same.” Sophomore Morgan Deane can be reached at 23deanemo20@daretolearn.org.

Wright Memorial testing new driver-less shuttle

By Samuel Smith Staff Writer

or the first time in the United States, an autonomous vehicle has been implemented as an ongoing experiment within a publicly available, government-regulated park. The vehicle, known as the Connected Autonomous Shuttle Supporting Innovation (CASSI for short), has been made operational and available to any and all visitors of the famed Wright Brothers Memorial. “We’ve had months of (preparation) for this,” Park Ranger Kyle Hudick said when presenting CASSI to members of the media at a special launch in late April. “It’s a limited experiment, so I think it’ll perform its function ably. There may be some small, unforeseen issues, but I’m sure we’ll be able to handle them when they arise.” CASSI is free to all who ride it, with each passenger being taken on a brief 15-minute ride around the memorial, from the visitor center to the bronze statues just across the street from FFHS. “This is a pretty good place for the experiment,” Hudick said. “We do get a fair amount of traffic, but with it having the set route, there are going to be fewer issues in this testing phase than

there would be on the main highway.” The launch of CASSI was brought about by a partnership between the likes of EasyMile, an autonomous vehicle production and research company, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the National Park Service (NPS) in pursuit of data collection. The experiment will take place over three months and will hopefully assist the agencies with improving the functionality of up-andcoming autonomous projects. “First we want to know, ‘Does it work?’ ” said David Hallac, Superintendent of the National Parks of Eastern North Carolina. “We’ll want to look at some basics: How safe was it, how many people got to ride it, did we get any complaints? We also have a survey that will have a series of questions that are being finalized right now: How was your ride, what was the experience, would you be willing to do this in the future?” CASSI is a relatively small, five-person (and an operator) vehicle that looks similar to the midsection of a subway. It can function 16 hours on a single charge. Able to go up to 24 mph (but only ever actually reaching around 12 due to built-in limitations), the vehicle maintains its surroundings via what is effectively a “laser radar” program known as LiDAR.

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

CASSI takes a spin around the ring road at the Wright Brothers Memorial during a media event introducing the driver-less shuttle that will be used this summer in a test program.

LiDAR works by emitting a laser from the vehicle to hit any nearby objects, then measuring the time it takes for the light particles to be reflected back. Since the shuttle’s operation is still in its early stages, the LiDAR sensitivity has been cranked up incredibly high, leading to some admittedly funny situations. “It picked something up there…” said CASSI operator Jason Perez when the shuttle unexpectedly stopped. “Probably picked up… oh it was a butterfly. Must’ve flown into the sensor.” Despite being marketed as a “self-driving” vehicle, these early stages of CASSI do require an operator for the sake of safety. Operators are required to both be instructed by chief operator Perez as well as pass an EasyMile certification assessment that

shows they know the basics of ensuring the safety of all passengers. As of now, CASSI will no longer be in service after the three months of data collection. If all goes according to plan, staff at the Wright Brothers Memorial will have greatly assisted the development of autonomous technology by sharing an interesting opportunity with anybody who wishes to go for it. “I’ve helped to bring this particular experiment to the park with my staff, and test it out as a potential mode of transportation and a way to enjoy the park in the future,” Hallac said. “I think right now we’re set on the three-month trial period, but you never know what will happen in the future.” Sophomore Samuel Smith can be reached at 23smithsa22@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

Making a ‘splash-back’: H2OBX Waterpark scheduled to reopen in May

By Allie Nigro Staff Writer

ummer is just around the corner, and so is the fun just around the bend of the lazy river at the H2OBX Waterpark. After being closed for more than a year now, the park is scheduled to open for the 2021 season on May 29 with COVID-19 precautions in place. The waterpark has over 30 rides, everything from a wave pool to a nine-story freefall slide. Though all of the attractions draw the eyes of tourists and locals throughout the summer, there’s one thing in particular many students have missed. “I look forward to the waterpark reopening so I can get more practice on the FlowRider and master some tricks I’ve been working on,” freshman Austin Bellinger said. The FlowRider is like surﬁng on a constant wave. Not only is there always a line of guests waiting to try it out for themselves, but there are also crowds of people watching skilled riders show off their best tricks. “One time, Jackson Meyers landed a backﬂip on the standup board and it was so awesome,” Bellinger said. “It took him so long to do it, but he pulled it off.” With the waterpark being just a short drive over the bridge, numerous students hang out at the park all summer long, and many also work there. “I miss going to the FlowRider pretty much every day, hanging out with friends and just having a fun time,” said Meyers, a sophomore. As students begin to make their summer plans, the waterpark is starting to assess the upcoming season and how to attack the issue of COVID-19. The virus will obviously cause many changes throughout the park, but despite the pandemic, H2OBX is anticipating an overly busy summer. “Based on what we saw last year for the Outer Banks and what we are hearing this year from the accommodations, it does appear that the Outer Banks will be very busy,” said Wen-

Photo submitted by Jackson Meyers (top)/Austin Bellinger

Sophomore Jackson Meyers (above) and freshman Austin Bellinger show off their tricks on the FlowRider at the H2OBX Waterpark. They are among the many students and tourists who missed getting to go to the waterpark last summer, when it was closed due to the pandemic.

dy Murray, Director of Marketing at H2OBX. “So we would anticipate that many people will enjoy getting back to the park.” With H2OBX being closed last year, the park was missing from several summer “to-do lists.” However, now that COVID-19 cases have dropped and more restrictions are being lifted, guests can safely enjoy the waterpark without fear of contracting the virus. “We are ﬁnalizing and waiting for any updates from the governor’s orders that may be in place by May 29 when we open,” Murray said. “You will need to enter with a mask, but you would not need them on the attractions.” Summer is only a few months away, and H2OBX is going to make it a whole lot better. Senior Jessica Canning is one of many that are excited to get back to ﬂoating down the lazy river, racing up to a favorite slide and enjoying ice cream on a hot, sunny day. “It is so nice to have a waterpark down here on the Outer Banks,” Canning said. Sophomore Allie Nigro can be reached at 23nigroal20@daretolearn. org.

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Counseling Services OuterBanksCounselor.com • 252-564-2804 NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

The next big decision: Community college over four-year university

By Cole Tomlin News Editor

ommunity college has proven to be one of the best options for 2021 graduating seniors, as COVID-19 has caused even more anxiety about going to college and too many uncertainties in regard to what four-year universities will look like next year. According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, community college enrollment for the fall of 2020 was down 10.1%. However, overall enrollment in college for the fall of 2020 was down 2.5%, which is twice the decline of 2019. Much of this decline is attributed to COVID-19 and the recession that was caused by its economic impact. After seeing the way 2020 graduates have struggled at big universities over the past year, many 2021 graduates are planning to play it safe for another year or two, while still continuing their education at a two-year community college. “I’m choosing to go to community college instead of a university right away, because I want to save money and still get a good education while being in a different setting,” senior Kendall Tucker said. “I feel like choosing this path allows me to have a more set plan than I would normally have if I chose a university.” The majority of students who decide to go to community college will be living on their own for their first time. They now have to start budgeting money, work, keep the refrigerator full and stay up to date on all of their classes. “It’s a little scary thinking about being completely on your own for the first time, because I will have to budget things I’ve never had to before,” senior Maggie Beacham said. “It is going to be hard, but I think it will be OK, and being in community college gives me a little more time to have a job as well.” Typically, students stray away from community college because they don’t want to miss out on the “college experience.” However, with COVID-19 complications, many 2020 graduates would agree that the “college experience” will never be the same. For example, McCabe Owens – a First Flight alumnus and deferred freshman at the University

Graphic by Cole Tomlin/Nighthawk News

of North Carolina at Wilmington – transferred to Cape Fear Community College after one semester at UNCW because that college experience he was hoping for was not plausible for the 2020-2021 school year. “COVID-19 basically influenced my entire decision because the university expects its students to pay the entire university price even though most of the amenities on campus are closed,” Owens said. He also had an entirely online schedule, taking away another aspect of student life at major university campuses. Sporting events, concerts, clubs and even normal outdoor activities have all been affected, which has proven to be very discouraging to this year’s college freshmen. “I was able to find an apartment in Wilmington for much cheaper than the price of the dorms, which I enjoy a lot more because the strict COVID-19 policies in the dorms caused a very stressful living situation,” Owens said. “We were basically imprisoned in our rooms and could be arrested simply for walking around common areas in the dorms without a mask.” For freshmen and sophomore college students, community college is also an enticing option because

they will still have access to the same general education classes that all students are required to take before moving onto their major-related classes. In addition, many community colleges also offer classes that will go toward students’ majors before transferring to a larger university. The transfer process for classes from a community college to a university is also often simple. “Cape Fear works directly with UNCW and other universities, making it super easy to transfer to and from the schools while ensuring the credits will transfer,” Owens said. Class sizes for community colleges are also more prone to being small, which allows students to have a more personal relationship with their professors. “In a smaller college, professors are more likely to know you personally since it is not as big, so you could get extra help and become closer with them,” Beacham said. “That was a factor in my decision, because I want to get as much help as I can and I don’t think you can always get that at a big university where they don’t even know your name.” Senior Cole Tomlin can be reached at 21tomlinco11@daretolearn.org.

Graduation plans for 2021

G Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Class of 2020 graduate Gabryella Murillo shares a hug with a family member at last year’s ceremony. When coronavirus restrictions limited crowd sizes, Dare County Schools shifted to giving each graduate and his or her family an individual time slot for photos and to walk across the stage and receive their diploma.

By Jack Voight Sports Editor

raduation: a celebration of the class that is usually taken for granted every year, but not this year. With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, most school events have been completely shut down, but the nation, state and local area are finally starting to turn the corner with the coronavirus vaccine. This potentially leaves the door open for this year’s seniors to actually get the send-off they desire. Recently, Superintendent John Farrelly announced the county’s plan for graduation. Dare County Schools does intend to hold socially distanced, traditional graduation ceremonies following all safety protocols as scheduled on Friday, June 11, at FFHS on the football field, and on Saturday, June 12, for Man-

teo and Cape Hatteras Secondary School at their traditional venues. Current seating capacity mandates, both inside and outside, mean that graduation will take place with smaller capacity. Currently, students will be allowed to have four guests – as of right now. “We have taken a very optimistic approach by reserving the normal stage and seating that we have used at our traditional graduations,” Principal Chuck Lansing said. “While current restrictions would not allow us to be over 30% capacity for the stadium (roughly 500 people), we are hopeful that by June we are in a much better situation with allowable attendance. Even though we are pouring efforts into planning a traditional ceremony, we are also aware that we need a backup plan in case anything changes or restrictions are to tighten.” With June fast approaching, seniors

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

Photo submitted by Kenneth Lokie/ Photo by Steve Hanf/Nighthawk News

Senior Kenneth Lokie (above) stands with Ferrum College head coach Cleive Adams after a visit to the school where he’ll play football next year. Campus visits to faraway schools such as Western Carolina (right) proved challenging for many students, including senior Kestral Welch, who will make the trip to Cullowhee next year.

Students ﬁnd creative ways to tour colleges despite COVID

By Callie Honeycutt Social Media Editor

ypically, when graduating seniors are searching for their dream school, they go and visit college campuses they are interested in before making their big decision. But what do they do when getting the full experience of touring the college campus might not be an available option? “I didn’t get an actual school tour, but I visited the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida,” junior Hadley Hedges said. “I loved the school. The campus is beautiful and really modern and clean.” Like most things in students lives, COVID-19 has affected the dynamics of touring colleges and students’ decisions regarding their future school.

Therefore, many students had to get creative to be able to still see what their possible future colleges would be like. “The school wasn’t offering ofﬁcial walking tours because of COVID, so we printed out a campus map and walked around by ourselves,” Hedges said. “We did a loop of the campus and then went to speciﬁc buildings related to the major I want to go into.” Unlike Hedges, some students have gotten to participate in tours set up by the colleges, but with new restrictions to keep people safe. “I toured Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina,” senior Kestral Welch said. “It was in-person, but the groups were small and we were limited to where we could go. We couldn’t go into buildings and everyone wore masks, even outside.” Similar to Welch, senior Kenneth

Lokie also had trouble visiting certain places when he toured Ferrum College. “The college is in the mountains, so the views were amazing,” Lokie said. “They have many beautiful brick buildings and even better athletic facilities, but due to COVID-19, I was unable to see what the classrooms were like.” Lokie committed to Ferrum College for the 2021 football season as a student-athlete majoring in Exercise Science and focusing on Physical Therapy. “Not having a normal senior year put me at a disadvantage to get recruited by colleges due to them having ﬁfth-year seniors,” Lokie said. “There is no promise anything would have been different without COVID-19, so I am still blessed to be where I am today.” Going into the next school year, some students have already accepted that their ﬁrst college years might not be all that normal.

“I really want the normal college experience and with COVID-19 I know I won’t get that,” Welch said. “I am planning on getting the vaccine in the next couple of weeks, so I am not concerned with myself, but I am more concerned with my family traveling and visiting.” With everything seniors have been through this year, they have realized that life will not be returning to normal for a while, but many are optimistic. “With all the craziness we are going through, the best way we are dealing with the effects is by being each other’s biggest supporters,” Lokie said. “We have to have each other’s back when the odds are stacked against us, and help each other push through the new challenges ahead of us.” Junior Callie Honeycutt can be reached at 22honeycuttca54@daretolearn.org.

focus on return to normal throughout First Flight have expressed differing opinions on what the graduation should look like, as there aren’t many other events to look forward to. “I would be hoping for everyone to show up, do normal things, give the speech, throw the hats, take some pictures and walk away,” senior Jacob Thomas said. While this would be the most popular choice for most seniors and their parents, there still are questions on just how many people can be in the stands for the graduation itself. “I expect it to be somewhat like last year, where it was one person at a time, or probably like half the class at one time, half at another,” senior Jaylin Fisher said. That scenario, however, won’t happen, especially after Gov. Roy Cooper announced in mid-April that crowd-size restrictions are likely to be lifted June 1. NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / news

On the other hand, some students aren’t overly worried about a graduation ceremony: “I just want prom,” senior Bailey McCleary said. That, of course, is a wish that will also be granted, with DCS announcing an outdoor prom event for seniors coming May 22. With so many other memorable moments lost this year and last, school ofﬁcials clearly are trying their best to give seniors the most they can in these last few months. Coming together for graduation is more than just a ceremony – it’s a way this year’s seniors can get closure and the sense of normalcy that has been lacking for so much of the past year. “It represents moving on to the future, and my hard work paying off,” Thomas said. Senior Jack Voight can be reached at 21voightja99@daretolearn.org.

Nighthawk News File Photo

Members of the Class of 2019 sit together in front of the stage just before standing up to throw their graduation caps into the air at the end of the ceremony. That kind of traditional event, even with masks and social distancing, is what many seniors hope for this year.

Freshmen face steep learning curve this year By Colin Tran Staff Writer

ntering high school for the ﬁrst time can be exciting for many rising freshmen because it means new friends, opportunities, classes, clubs and much more. But when this year started off in remote learning, that meant all the new doors the Class of 2024 was ready to walk through were locked shut. “When I was thinking about high school, I was thinking about being close with friends and being able to see everyone after the long break, but with the different schedules that didn’t happen,” freshman Brandon Woods said. “I was looking forward to being able to go to indoor sporting events and sit in the student section and really be able to feel what it’s like to support the school’s teams.” With remote learning, students were able to see teachers and classmates through a screen for only a few minutes each day. This different learning environment left many freshmen not knowing what it would be like returning to face-to-face learning. “I didn’t really know what to expect from high school, especially being a freshman,” Cam Summerton

said. “I knew my teacher’s name, but I didn’t know what their personality was. I was eager to see who was in my class and what my teachers act like.” The most-asked question by freshmen when entering the building for the first time is, “Where are all of my classes?” A normal school year would start with orientation day, where new students get the chance to go through their schedules and meet their teachers. With COVID-19 being a huge obstacle this year, orientation was one of the many things that was not able to happen before students returned in November and again in January on the hybrid schedules. “I think the most difficult part for me is knowing where my classes are,” freshman Khloe Tucker said. “Mostly because this is a whole different school for me and we never had orientation, so I had to get used to figuring that out.” Transitioning from middle school to high school is a huge step for many, as it’s a sign of growing up and taking the steps to figure out the future with education and other extracurricular activities. This year’s freshman class’ transition to high school was anything but normal, as students had to make this transition more independently with less access

to resources to help them. “The challenging part for me was probably not being able to meet teachers right away and having to do work on my own,” freshman Isabella Thorn said. “In high school, you gain a lot of responsibilities and there is a lot of work that comes with it. Not being able to meet with teachers and ﬁgure it out, or having to do assignments and learn way more independently than I was used to, was a big change.” As COVID-19 case numbers start to decline, “normal” starts to return. Fewer regulations and more people getting vaccinated means more hope of returning to school at a normal capacity, with sports, clubs and other events returning. “I look forward to when we can all go back to school and the social factor really returns,” Thorn said. “I’m excited to see more of my friends, to have more people I know in my classes, and to meet new people. I’m also really looking forward to my high school experience that got a little delayed, but hopefully with things getting back to normal a sense of normalcy will return, too.” Sophomore Colin Tran can be reached at 23tranco16@daretolearn.org.

Community ‘Adopt a Senior’ program helping grads in challenging time By Noah Kinnisten Sports Editor

o homecoming dance, no huge crowds at games, no going to school. Devoid of virtually all privileges, Class of 2021 graduates have had close to nothing during the last two years of their high school careers, which is why members of the Outer Banks community found a way to support them. This is exactly why the “First Flight High School Adopt a Senior” Facebook group was started last year by April Hawkins and continued this year under the direction of Lisa Evans. In this Facebook group, parents of soon-to-be graduates put their seniors up for “adoption” so other members of the community can adopt them. The “adopters” give their seniors gifts and help support their future plans during this trying time. “The premise of this program was to connect with all graduating seniors and members of the community so that they can be adopted by anyone,” Evans said. “It’s all about spreading some cheer, love and support during the pandemic.” Evans put her son, senior Colby Evans, up for adoption while also adopting a student of her own. “I have currently adopted Jaden Clary,” Lisa said. “Jaden will receive a few gifts from us. He is one of Colby’s dearest friends and we will create a gift basket with gift cards, things he can Nighthawk News File Photo

Class of 2020 member Elizabeth Montgomery displays the gifts she was given as part of the grassroots ‘Adopt a Senior’ campaign that started on Facebook last year. Parents and community members have brought back the idea for this year’s seniors.

use for college and some food.” Students have taken a liking to this newfound process because it offers a large morale boost in the weeks leading up to graduation. Some students are adopted by total strangers, some by family friends, some by community members with ties to the college the senior will be attending in the fall. “Pros of getting adopted are you get to build a bond with someone who wants to see you succeed and it adds to my motivation,” senior Johmar Gonzalez said. “It’s like, ‘I can’t fail because it would be one more person I’m letting down’ and on the other side it’s ‘If I do fail, I know I can depend on this person for a hand up.’ ” The program, which supports students at all three Dare County high schools, proves to seniors and others around the school how supportive and thoughtful the community is. It may

not make up for missing homecoming ﬂoats, wild cheering sections at basketball games or the annual senior trip, but it deﬁnitely lessens the sting of being a senior in this challenging time.

“It’s a great feeling to know that people are willing to invest in you when you get adopted,” Gonzalez said. Junior Noah Kinnisten can be reached at 22kinnistenno93@daretolearn.org.

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Students express various views on returning to in-person school

By Maren Ingram Opinions Editor

t’s been a little over a year since March 13, 2020, the day that will forever be ingrained in students’ minds. But after the many highs and lows that have come with learning during a pandemic, students are back in the building for in-person instruction once again and – perhaps – for good this time. First Flight began in-person instruction for the second time this school year on March 1, utilizing the hybrid option of A-K and L-Z learning cohorts. And after a few weeks of success, the Board of Education decided to send students back four days a week, which started on April 13, with the virtual option remaining available. After learning through a computer for so long, many students expressed how much they enjoyed being back. “Going back to school in-person has been great,” freshman Kayla Chesson said. “I like being able to see my friends, and I’m getting so much more work done and I’m able to focus better.” Junior Noah Adams agreed: “I’ve really liked going back to school. It’s been nice to see my friends again and learn in-person.” But some students expressed how the transition from virtual to in-person school was a bit harder than expected. “The transition has been kind of rough for me because I’ve been having to get up an hour earlier,” senior Logan Hanf said. “Virtual learning was cool because I could have a lot more control over my learning environment.” Nonetheless, Hanf praised how smoothly the transition went, despite the many challenges. “As far as how well it was executed, I think the transition back to faceto-face was really well done, and I do

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Students line up for the health screening to enter the school building on the ﬁrst day back in-person on March 1. The current school year has been one adjustment after another, with students fully at home at times and in school for limited days at others.

think it’s important that we’re learning back in-person again,” Hanf said. With the virtual option still available – several hundred students are still learning at home – many students also described how strange it was to be back in the classroom again, especially during the 50-50 split on the two-daya-week hybrid model. “It’s been super different because class time is much longer and all my class sizes are so small,” junior Maggie Sherman explained. “But it’s so nice to be back in the classroom after being online for so long, and it’s just easier on students.” Hanf agreed: “So many people aren’t in the building at the same time as I am, so it’s actually pretty strange

to be back.” And even though going back to school has been an adjustment for everyone, it’s been particularly difficult for new students learning in Dare County for the first time ever, like sophomore Peyton Harris. “It was pretty nerve-wracking to switch to a new school during a pandemic, especially going back in-person because I was worried I wasn’t going to be able to find my classes,” Harris said. “But it’s actually been going great, considering how I thought it would go.” Harris moved to Dare County from Virginia in February and began taking classes at FFHS virtually before the switch back to face-to-face.

“At my old school, we were fully virtual, so it was weird to have to switch to a new school and then immediately return back to in-person learning,” Harris said. “But I’m enjoying being back in school a lot more than I thought I would.” And while it’s clear the road ahead is still very long in terms of returning completely back to normal, students returning to school after countless months of virtual learning could just be the light at the end of the tunnel. “It’s just nice to be back because it feels like the beginning of things ﬁnally getting back to normal,” Adams said. Junior Maren Ingram can be reached at 22ingramma01@daretolearn.org.

How First Flight students feel about this school year Out of 209 responses

Graphic by Maren Ingram and Noelani Santana NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

Sanchez destroys cancer and dishes out nutrition

By Kayla Hallac Online Editor-in-Chief

erfect levels of proteins, a crisp Keto diet, fresh fruits and vegetables: the ideal recipe to beat cancer. Sawyer Sanchez, a First Flight alumnus, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow) two weeks before his junior year of high school. He spent four months getting chemotherapy followed by radiation and a bone marrow transplant. After fighting cancer, Sanchez turned his life around to focus on nutrition and helping people with circumstances similar to his own. This journey was life-changing. It influenced his health along with his life goals. Sanchez’s positive attitude throughout his treatment was crucial to take him to the present. “When I found out that I was sick, I remember looking over at my parents and I was like, ‘Oh, so I’m a cancer survivor,’ and they kind of laughed,” he said. “It was never ‘if I get out of the hospital.’ I knew I was a cancer survivor. I knew I was going to get out of the hospital no matter what.” Still, if Sanchez had not matched with a bone marrow donor necessary for the transplant, he wouldn’t be alive today. All he knows about his donor is she is 12 years old. “I’ve actually been trying to do a bunch of DNA tests and see who she is,” Sanchez said. That donor wasn’t the only one crucial to his recovery. His family played a huge role in encouragement. Sawyer’s sister, freshman River Sanchez, claimed the hardest part was not being able to see Sawyer when he was sick. “I was fortunate enough to have a grandma who gave up her life in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to come take care of my little sister (Mollie Sanchez) and I while my parents were with my brother. She was able to drive me to CHKD (Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters) to visit him,” River said. The visits to CHKD were important to River. They allowed her to spend time with her brother, who she was used to spending time with 24/7. “While it was a very difficult time for us, I always tried to stay positive and never wanted him to see me worried or upset because I knew what he was going through was really hard,” River said. While the journey has been hard for River to watch, moments during Sawyer’s treatment created lasting memories. “One night, (Mollie) and I went to visit him in the hospital. We brought at least 12 different types of gum and had a funny gum-tasting contest. We put on face masks and we also made a plaster mold of our hands together,” River explained. “All the things we

Photos submitted by Sawyer Sanchez

Recent graduate Sawyer Sanchez is grateful to attend the University of Kentucky following a bout with leukemia because of the Make-a-Wish Eastern North Carolina Foundation. This opportunity allows him to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor focused on nutrition to share what the optimistic patient learned while in the midst of his cancer treatments (below).

would have done at home we just did in the hospital.” Although cancer has changed Sawyer’s life, he’s made the most of it and has pushed forward toward a meaningful career. “I think the whole journey I went through shaped who I am today,” Sawyer said. “It steered me towards my professional goals now.” While in the hospital, Sawyer noticed there wasn’t nutritional therapy for each patient. He thought about how important nutrition is to a patient’s recovery and came to the conclusion that every patient should have a nutritional plan to go along with their treatment.

This led Sawyer to apply for and receive a grant from the Eastern North Carolina Make-A-Wish Foundation to go to University of Kentucky, an out-ofstate school. There, Sawyer is currently studying nutritional sciences with plans of attending medical school upon graduation. As a college student, Sawyer has also recently started up a business called “WolfPak Health,” a wellness platform inspired by his journey. “I was lucky enough to do the research that I needed to do on nutrition and implement that to myself when I was in the hospital,” Sawyer said. “I just want to share my experience and

everything I’ve learned with other people.” WolfPak Health strives to do just this and acts as a first step toward Sawyer’s goals to bring nutrition into hospitals. “My goal with that is to be able to help anyone that is dealing with any specific health-related issues, provide them with nutritional plans, and eventually when I become a doctor one day, I want to bring that into the hospital,” Sawyer said. A big part of this goal comes from Sawyer’s time in the hospital meeting new people. He not only met some of his best friends, but gained encouragement to pursue future goals. “I think it helped me in a weird way. I saw some of the people who were so sick in the hospital, and I knew so many close people who had passed away, even, from the same treatment I had,” Sawyer said. “I want to be able to help people now because I saw the effects of nutrition in my treatment, and no one else was doing that, so I want to be sure to share that knowledge.” Meeting new people was important to the Sanchez family in more ways than one. Getting to know so many different cancer families created lasting relationships. River even met one of her best friends to this day who had the same cancer as her brother. Sawyer has learned to look at the positive side of this experience, and after meeting people and gaining knowledge, he has turned his health and life around to be where he is today. “He’s doing so great now. You’d never realize he had gone through so much,” River said. Junior Kayla Hallac can be reached at 22hallacka85@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

Outer Banks business owners, teenage edition

By Audrey Lovell Staff Writer

intage rings made from spoons, eco-friendly drawstring bags, crewnecks and clay earrings – these are just some of the items Outer Banks teen business owners have to offer. Recently, many First Flight students decided to turn their hobbies into small businesses, including alumna Jaylan Ulmer. She started her business called “The Gifts for You” while bored at home last October. “I started using my old string to make ‘trending’ items like the bucket hat and reusable eco-friendly drawstring bags,” Ulmer said. Another student-run business is Sunken Surf Co., created by Manteo freshman Grace Garman and three friends from Manteo and FFHS. “We wanted to create something that we would wear and share with others,” Garman said. Sunken Surf Co. sells items like sweatshirts, beanies and stickers. For students, the best way to sell a product is to know what people want to buy. These small business owners sell trending items that are appealing to their customers. One trending item is clay jewelry, which has recently been increasing in popularity. Senior Nevaeh Tucker was inspired to try making her own jewelry through social media. “I saw a lot of posts on my Instagram feed and became interested,” Tucker said. Tucker’s business, nevaeh.jewelry, sells a selection of earrings made from clay through Instagram. Lots of time goes into making handmade items such as jewelry. Although juggling school, activities and a business sounds difficult, it’s not impossible. “(Running a business) has actually allowed me to understand how to manage my time with making orders and doing schoolwork on the same day,” junior Key Lige said. “I do everything: boxing, making the orders and shipping them as well.” Lige created the business Outer Banks Rings, which sells rings bent from vintage silverware. Most of these small businesses are advertised on Instagram, making social media an important way to share products because the majority of students are active on these sites. “I am trying to promote my products through Tik Tok and make videos trying to show how I make the rings, and the quality,” Lige said. Self-promotion is a commonly used way to get your business out there, but another helpful way to spread your business message is working with others. “We have collaborated and asked people to promote our business on their platforms,” Garman said. Other people sharing a business product is a great way to get more NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

Photo submitted by Nevaeh Tucker

Senior Nevaeh Tucker has started a business hand-making clay earrings and has received great support from friends, family, classmates and the community.

people to see that business. It attracts more people to the website or social media page. “When our friends model for us, it usually brings in their friends, parents and parents’ friends,” Garman said. Products can be viewed by a larger audience when put out on different social media websites. “When people post pictures wearing my products, it promotes them as well,” Ulmer said. “I’ve also been in a huge giveaway, which was a great promoting experience.” Ulmer has taken the next step to expanding her business. She not only sells her handmade crochet products on Instagram, but also has created an Esty shop and sells her items through a local boutique. “I’ve made almost 100 sales, so almost $1,000,” Ulmer said. Other students who created small businesses have started shipping their products as well as selling them locally. Garman’s Sunken Surf Co. has sold to 10 states so far. “I can ship products, but I love selling locally, too,” Tucker said. Although making a profit may seem like the best part of a business, it’s also a way to pass time, stay busy and – more importantly – share what these business owners love with others. “I haven’t made a great deal of profit yet, but right now I am just enjoying doing it,” Tucker said. Sophomore Audrey Lovell can be reached at 23lovellau71@daretolearn.org.

Photo submitted by Grace Garman

One of the products freshman Grace Garman and her friends have created as part of their business, Sunken Surf Co., is displayed for sale. The students have products with their logo such as sweatshirts, T-shirts and stickers.

FFHS teachers express gratitude after receiving COVID-19 vaccines By Mackenzie Edwards Staff Writer

veryone knows that feeling of sitting in a chair waiting at the doctor’s office, but when you add getting a brand new vaccine to it, that nervous feeling can become heightened. Some have felt anxiety and some have felt relief over receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. For Spanish teacher Leo Perez, it was a different feeling. “I just immediately felt safe,” Perez said after getting his COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer. Perez is one of the many teachers at First Flight who received their COVID-19 vaccine in January and February, when the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services secured vaccine doses for teachers ahead of North Carolina’s timetable allowing them to get the vaccine. “It was fast, so I felt it was some sort of privilege just to be one of the first people in the area to get the chance to be vaccinated,” Perez said. Any teacher who wanted the vaccine was able to get it. The teachers of Dare County received their first dose of the vaccine Jan. 23 and the second dose on Feb. 13. Some teachers experienced mild symptoms as a side effect, while others did not. “The first day they told me that my arm would be sore. I did not believe them, but as the day progressed, I started feeling my arm getting super heavy and by the end of the day my arm was sore,” Perez said. “It didn’t allow me to lift my arm very high and that was the only thing.” For Perez, getting the vaccine gave him a sense of relief in this stressful time, but not at first. “At first, I had a bunch of concerns. I think it’s like some sort of hysteria, where people are talking, ‘Oh, that vaccine comes from...” Perez said. “It was just some sort of a collective kind of freaking-out thing.” But after he received the vaccine, he began to feel more secure and hoped others would be able to have that same opportunity to feel safe again. “I am just hoping that everyone else can get it so the majority of the population can go back to the new

Photo (above) submitted by Catherine Van Vliet, (below left) by Steve Hanf/Nighthawk News

FFHS teacher Catherine Van Vliet (above) receives her COVID-19 vaccine from school nurse Robyn Dozier. In a mask that exclaimed exactly how she felt about the two shot clinics for teachers and first responders put on by the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services, Van Vliet showed her excitement about receiving the vaccine at one of the stations that transformed the FFHS gym (below left).

normal. The new normal is going to come with all the implications that we’re still going to need to be further apart and people staying at home,” Perez said. Dare County Schools Digital Communications and Secondary School Director Keith Parker hopes that students and teachers will be able to return to a completely safe learning environment soon thanks to vaccine availability. “The Board of Education is committed to providing an engaging, rigorous and safe learning environment for all students in Dare County,” Parker said. “While this has been an unprecedented school year, their hope is that we re-establish a broad range of opportunities for our students as quickly, and as safely, as possible.” Sophomore Mackenzie Edwards can be reached at 23edwardsma78@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

New staff member will knock your socks off

By Kate Hamilton Social Media Editor

hree hundred pairs of socks. That is more socks than the average household owns. But for Duke Wallin, 300 pairs of socks isn’t something that’s out of the ordinary. Wallin has a pair of socks for every holiday, event and occasion imaginable. But this vast sock collection is not the only thing Wallin is enthusiastic about. He also enjoys helping students. Wallin has been in North Carolina’s public schools system for 23 years. He started out teaching radio and television broadcasting, but then eventually moved into Career Development. He now has been doing Career Development for 16 years. “This is a chance to still work with students, even though I’m not in a classroom, and that’s very important to me,” Wallin said. Wallin was working in Wilmington when COVID-19 hit. With all the uncertainty that arose with the pandemic, Wallin decided that he wanted to move closer to his parents, who live in New York. “My parents were very concerned about COVID-19 and I didn’t get to see them very often being in North Carolina, so I found myself going to move closer to them up in New York,” Wallin said. “I was going to take a job that I didn’t really know much about, but it was mainly to see them.” Although he tried to make his new

Photo submitted by Duke Wallin

New CTE Director Duke Wallin poses in front of one of his favorite things: socks! Wallin’s personality shines through in his socks as well as his enthusiasm for helping students.

job in New York work for his parents, Wallin missed North Carolina. Wallin had heard great things about the students in Dare County, particularly First Flight High School, and decided that he would apply for an opening here. Wallin is now the Coordinator and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director at First Flight and oversees two areas: Special Populations and

Career Development. Special Populations works with students who have an education plan. Wallin makes sure that each student in this program has access to the help they need. “I make sure that students get the assistance they need in class to be successful as well as help support the teachers with making sure that those

kids are successful and get the tools they need,” Wallin said. With Career Development, Wallin helps students figure out what steps they can take now to help prepare them for after high school. He already has been able to help a few students, including Timothy Clark. “He helps in any way he can,” Clark said. “Mr. Wallin talked to me about what I was interested in, and after I told him, he offered me help by telling me what things I could go into.” Wallin has also created some social media platforms, with the handle CareerFFHS, that students can visit if they have any questions or are just interested in learning more. These platforms include Twitter, Instagram and a CTE-related page within the First Flight High School website. “You can go to these social medias and find a little bit of information as well as some resources,” Wallin said. You can find him – and those fun socks – in his office in the Counseling Center. Wallin is passionate about helping students and will continue to do anything in his power to see a student succeed. “I like working with students and helping them develop goals and strategies to prepare them for after school,” Wallin said. “Even if it’s one student that says, ‘You helped me make my decision on what I want to do with the rest of my life,’ I feel like I’ve accomplished something.” Junior Kate Hamilton can be reached at 22hamiltonka86@daretolearn.org.

Slice Pizzeria takes care of its customers and community, one delivery at a time

By Stella Bryson Staff Writer

here are two things you need to know about Slice Pizzeria: locals and tourists alike think the pizza is delicious, and the folks who work there care a great deal about their community. Slice is known across the Outer Banks for its support of the local schools and sports teams. This support can be seen inside the restaurant, where various certificates and “thank yous” from schools and businesses are posted on the walls. “We have always supported the community since we opened the doors of Slice,” co-owner Elizabeth Cubler said. “We appreciate the community’s support of our business.” In the midst of COVID-19, local first responders and essential workers have been working overtime to keep the community running smoothly. And to show their gratitude, Slice has delivered pizzas to businesses and organizations all around the Outer Banks twice a week since January. “We wanted to do something to show how much they mean to us,” Cubler explained. Slice’s delivery service has traveled to Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, Nags Head and Duck, serving hundreds of Dare County heroes. Slice has visited police departments, hospitals, assisted living centers, schools and more. The pizza deliveries have also included banks, veterinarian NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

Photo submitted by Slice Pizzeria

Employees of Slice Pizzeria stand beside police in Dare County after making a pizza donation.

offices, Lowe’s, and non-profits like the SPCA. “I’m glad they were thinking of us and took the time to show us their gratitude,” Officer Tracy Mann from the Southern Shores Police Department said. Slice wanted to acknowledge the efforts of these community helpers who have gone above and beyond to serve Dare County during this tough time. Some of these essential workers are putting in so many hours,

they might not have time to walk into Slice and smell the heavenly aroma of baked cheese and garlic knots, so the Slice crew is happy to bring the experience to them. “We want to make sure they feel appreciated and recognized,” Cubler said. Sophomore Stella Bryson can be reached at 23brysonst69@daretolearn.org.

‘Mask-erade’ theme perfect for Prom 2021

By Dani Alfaro Gonzalez Staff Writer

xcitement rings through the spring semester as students make plans with friends and shop for the perfect attire. They wake up eager for the day’s events, get ready with peers, go to dinner, take loads of pictures and then they’re off to the dance. Prom: the biggest student event of the year. This event was taken from last year’s upperclassmen due to COVID-19, causing letdowns for students throughout the school and across the country. But this year, after the decision to come back to in-person learning was announced, many questioned what usual school events would look like, including sports games, school dances and graduation. According to the latest COVID-19 guidelines, prom will look different than previous years, but how different? After plenty of waiting, planning and having to keep in mind safety precautions, it has been announced that FFHS will be having its first official off-campus prom ever, taking place at the Wright Brothers Memorial. “I started thinking about what around us could have around 400 kids, that’s outside (due to social distancing),” Principal Chuck Lansing said regarding the decision where the prom could be held. “I thought about outdoor venues, staring out of my office window at the monument, and I thought, ‘What if we could do it there?’ ” Lansing had to keep in mind that the Wright Brothers’ policies regarding hosting events on its grounds stated that the event being held had to have an educational purpose. With help from Superintendent John Farrelly and his resources, the school was allowed to have the yearly event take place at the venue. While students were excited to start thinking about dresses, shoes, promposals and other plans, the new location does create uncertainty of what this prom will look like. “In the rotunda, I always knew what to expect, but there are still so many new details to figure out with the new location,” said English teacher Lauren Deal, head of the prom committee.

Illustration by Savannah Sawin/Special to Nighthawk News

Not only are Lansing and Deal working hard to make this special night happen, but park rangers who work for the Wright Brothers Memorial are also involved. As of now, there are plans to work with rangers to allow students to be escorted to the top of the memorial and take pictures, while the dance is held near the visitor center. “We want to give you every chance to make it special,” Lansing said. Having prom outside and off campus this year might change plans for prom in the future, depending on the way it’s executed. “I am hopeful that this might be able to change some of our future proms,” Deal said. Added Lansing: “This is where we have to do a good job the first time: Students need to demonstrate to the park that we can respect their space.”

In addition to the change in location, this year’s prom will also include a much larger availability of provided food compared to previous years’ small appetizers. This will allow students to be able to eat at the event, since it will be taking place later in the season while tourists are on the Outer Banks, making restaurants crowded. Students will also be able to enjoy music, a photo booth and more, such as T-shirts for seniors. Despite the uncertainties that come with the prom’s new location, it shows yet another creative way people have reconfigured their lives around COVID-19, making it one that will be a treasured memory for years to come. Junior Dani Alfaro Gonzalez can be reached at 22alfaroca65@daretolearn.org.

Fine arts roundup: What’s new and

theatre event, hopefully before the end of the school year. I hate that this year’s seniors are not getting their final two shows, but we still plan to present senior plaques this year and select a winner of the Beth Kraft Award, which goes to a senior who has participated in every show since fall of freshman year.”

Theatre – Lauren Deal “Our goal was to have a spring play, but due to COVID concerns, we did not have enough interest from students to hold auditions,” Deal explained. “My hope is still to do some sort of smaller

Strings – John Buford The two-day hybrid split worked out well for strings classes, with one day that was all cellos and a few violins and another that was all violins and one bass. Now that students are back four days a week, however, the before-school rehearsals have a fuller sound than before. “And all this happens early in the

By Olivia Sugg Staff Writer

hile every instructional program has been impacted by school shutdowns and shifts between remote, hybrid and in-person learning, the fine arts department has suffered greatly through lost shows and competitions since last spring. Here’s a check-in on these programs:

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Freshman Heath Miller focuses on playing his violin during a morning orchestra class before the normal school day begins.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

Student musicians determined to keep marching on

By Olivia Sugg Staff Writer

ff in the distance, you hear the beat of the drums. The sound builds and there is excitement in the air. It can only mean one thing: the marching band is practicing, and soon their sweet melodies will echo across the football field under the Friday night lights to the delight of spectators. Normally, that takes place in the heat of August and throughout the fall. This year, the marching band put in lots of hard work preparing for the two home football games in February and March. “We had our hands full getting ready for (the first game) and I’m really proud of the effort the kids put forth,” band director Bob Ebert said. “They worked hard and it’s been a nice touch of normalcy over the last month.” COVID-19 has brought many changes to students’ normal routines, but participating in marching band has made some feel as though parts of this year are “somewhat” normal. “We’re definitely making the best of the situation,” Ebert said. “Camp and the evening rehearsals have been very similar to years past, which has been good for everyone involved.” The marching band has even been able to maintain this normalcy with safety precautions in place, which is a pretty big accomplishment. “Students have to remain socially distanced, even when performing the halftime show,” Ebert said. “DCS also invested in modified masks for our wind players and bell covers for our brass students, and our flautists have to wear face shields during rehearsals and performances.” This year’s band is on the smaller side, making the modifications easier to work with, but as with any new protocols, the changes have brought challenges. “The most difficult aspect has

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Senior Madison Godsey (right) conducts the band as it plays in the stands during a home football game in March. Godsey and other band members were happy to have the chance at a marching band season this year despite the challenges of playing in a pandemic.

been the lack of working together in person. Practicing material on your own all the time can very easily become tedious, and it can be difficult to stay motivated,” Ebert said. “To prevent this, we’ve approached the year with the expectation that we’d need to perform on relatively short notice. This way, we felt as though there was a larger goal and the vast majority of the kids continued to practice and turn in quality work.” With some hard work, the band was able to overcome many of the challenges that were thrown its way, but it was no easy feat. Marching band requires a large commitment, and band members showed their perseverance over the last few months. “All the people who are in the

marching band are dedicated, so they really want to do it,”sophomore JP Kovacs said. “None of that has really changed from the fact that we’re online or in school.” Even though the marching season feels “somewhat normal,” seniors are missing out on experiences that they would normally have. “It is a little weird, especially since we only have two home games this year, and it really does stink for the seniors, but we’re making the best out of it as much as we can,” Kovacs said. Madison Godsey is one of those seniors. She is also one of the three drum majors this year, and was looking forward to some of the responsibilities that come with leading the band. “We are responsible for conduct-

ing the band, giving notes to help others and being in charge of running rehearsals,” Godsey said. Even though this year’s situation had been less than ideal, Godsey has been able to maintain a good attitude and see the positive aspects of this year’s marching season. “I know I am going to miss playing at our winter concerts, and I was also looking forward to conducting the band in the Homecoming parade and the Manteo Christmas parade,” Godsey explained. “But, I’m really thankful we got a marching season despite all of what’s going on, we still got a Senior Night at a football game, and we still got to play in the stands.” One major accomplishment and positive aspect of this marching season was putting together an entire show in a short amount of time. “It’s been tough preparing our marching show this year, but everyone has been doing really well,” Godsey said. “We were able to install the entire show in simply three days, which has never happened before. I was really excited for other people to see what we put together.” For Godsey, marching band is not all about putting on an amazing show. It is also about the people that marching band allows her to spend time with, and returning to school two days and then four days a week has allowed her to spend even more time with them. “One of my favorite parts of band class is being able to spend time with others who have the same interest as me,” Godsey said. “I also enjoy playing music pieces as a group – it’s easier to practice that way, and you’re able to hear how other people play.” With the marching season now over, hopes for a spring concert and a performance at graduation will keep band members in good spirits as they continue to practice and spend time together. Sophomore Olivia Sugg can be reached at 23suggol52@daretolearn.org.

how has COVID impacted events? morning at 7:15 a.m., well before some students have not even poured out a bowl of cereal,” Buford reminded. “At the moment, we are working on ‘Hornpipe’ – a classical favorite – and trying our best to rock with ‘Boulevard of Broken Dreams,’ ‘Stairway to Heaven’ and some feel-good pop favorites that we had pulled together for the Spring 2020 concert that never happened. Our goal is to have an end-of-the-year outdoor concert. Since we have a small group, we’ve discussed combining with the middle school strings for this concert, keeping in mind that these two ensembles would yield a good-sized audience within current COVID guidelines. But no definite plans are made on that. “For now, we are just settling into

our new routines and we will rally to choose a concert format and date when the time seems right. In the meantime, we are just enjoying being together again and making music. It’s an even sweeter sound to hear after our time apart.” Chorus - John Buford “Chorus doesn’t have a class that meets this spring at the high school. But behind the scenes, I have reached out to many former students from middle school who are now in high school to let them know how fondly I remember the good times and their company. I mentioned I would gladly welcome them back into chorus for the fall, especially since we now have one extra class offer-

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Choir director John Buford leads his students in song in a COVID-friendly way by practicing outside and six feet apart during a fall class.

ing with the block format for 2021-2022 (which may make it easier to work into their class schedules). I truly believe the future is bright. I can feel it in the air. I have a talented eighth-grade class that

is excited to be at the high school, and I am optimistic about what the fall has in store. Bring it.” Sophomore Olivia Sugg can be reached at 23suggol52@daretolearn.org.

A r t i s t s

i n

Hathaway’s ‘wandering mind’ comes out in artistic expression By McRae Walker Opinions Editor

ecessity breeds innovation. When senior Luke Hathaway first moved to the Outer Banks, his art was just that – a distraction in an otherwise new and unfamiliar place. “(I needed) an escape. Something to keep my mind busy and to express myself,” Hathaway said. Moving from Wisconsin to the Outer Banks is no small jump for anyone, and Hathaway started middle school, often considered the most volatile of years, from scratch in the social department. Since then, Hathaway has continued to draw, honing his hobby into a personal passion. The senior has a bombastic presence, and his chaotic drive is evident in his work, most clearly expressed by his knack for capturing random ideas. Always carrying a trusty sketchbook, he captures the thoughtful journey before it can avoid him once more – from pizza to beasts, or even a buff Elmo standing over a defeated Kermit the Frog. “Most of the time, it’s just my mind wandering,” Hathaway said. Creatures of a more animalistic nature tend to be his forte: Simply capturing the muscular patterns of a dragon is an exciting process for the senior. The landscapes surrounding said creatures have been utilized more recently. This is expressed in the most recent digital drawing posted on his Instagram: @hathawayluke16. Hathaway cites Stan Lee as an inspiration, and though the comic book legend wasn’t an illustrator, it’s easy to see why his attitude inspires so many. Lee was among the most iconic of Marvel Comics’ many writers and known throughout his industry as a man who turned his career into a fun time. “Stan Lee – God bless him, he did what he loved,” Hathaway said. Hathaway intends on utilizing his passion in the world of video games. The industry is ever-expanding, and as more designs become

used up, creativity is a valuable asset. “I took the video game arts design class as a freshman,” Hathaway said of Jesse McClary’s popular offering. “I’m certified in Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop.” Hathaway hopes to one day put his pen to work creating concept art for Bungie, the prominent game studio behind such acclaimed franchises as Halo and Destiny, both of which he avidly plays. Beyond the pen, Hathaway similarly uses his high-energy nature to act in school plays and musicals, beginning with “Mary Poppins’’ during his sophomore year. While he started theater at the request of his parents – “We’re a Disney family,” Hathaway said – he kept acting for a much different reason. “I did it because I was enjoying myself,” Hathaway said. Despite modern pressure for art to be “flawless,” it is entertainment; both for the creator and the viewer. And Hathaway is always excited about his newest project, not just because he is consistently improving, but also because he is having fun: an increasingly rare mindset in an increasingly competitive landscape. Starting out with sketching, that method of expression stayed his most utilized until recently. Having finally acquired a drawing tablet, Hathaway is excited to enter the world of digital art, but isn’t obliged to. To make money off your work, it is almost necessary to take to the internet at one point or another, but despite a growing skill, he is simply trying something new, different and – with any luck – fun. Hathaway intends to continue doing what he loves in the future, and everyone could learn a little something from that. From drawing to acting, he strives to do as well as he can while having a blast at the same time. “ ‘Sky’s the limit’ and not even that, because, you know, space,” Hathaway said with a chuckle. Senior McRae Walker can be reached at 21walkermc92@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Senior Luke Hathaway captures an idea in his ever-present sketch book. He counts comic book icon Stan Lee (drawn below) as an inspiration for his artistic pursuits.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

the Spotlight Drawn to art: Remige inspired by many

By Samuel Smith Staff Writer

ablo Picasso, Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh. Some of the most well-known artists in all of history. Branching from dramatically different areas and periods of time, each one of them has something in common. They all began with the art of drawing, and from there, they grew to become the famed artists they are known as today. She may not be a famous artist just yet, but sophomore Marin Remige has already begun taking steps toward that role with her favorite hobby – drawing. “I mainly stick to pencil drawings and acrylic paintings for my art, but sometimes an idea will pop into my head and I’ll branch out,” Remige said. Having been drawing since before she can remember and painting since the age of 5, Remige has found herself in an environment throughout her childhood where art is heavily encouraged by those around her. Her family members, in her eyes, have influenced her love for art, with their “hippie” nature pushing for creativity and having her back in all that she chooses to do. Whether they are artists in their own right, such as her grandmother, aunt and cousins, or simply just “crafty people,” as she puts it, they all support her exploits in the world of art. “My whole family, for the most part, are hippies, so I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up around a lot of very creative people who are willing to teach me about art and let me do whatever I want with it,” Remige said. “(Most) of my family isn’t super into art, but they’re all very crafty people and they’re supportive of my ventures.” While her parents have played a clear role in her affinity for art, her artistic inspiration has arisen from an assortment of different facets of her life. For one, Remige has always had an infatuation with architecture. Floor plans, city plans, houses and apartments, all are drawn by Remige simply due to her enjoyment of the art of buildings. Her early childhood notebooks were filled with bird’s-eye views of inhabited islands, structures and just any places NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / features

Photo by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Sophomore Marin Remige takes a moment to enjoy drawing in her sketch book. From cityscapes to a giant toddler towering over a building, Remige creates a wide variety of drawings. ‘Art should never not be fun,’ she says.

she could imagine, all of which were inspired by architecture. Personal interests aside, Remige also draws inspiration from the works of others that share her interest in drawing. Pushing herself to improve and hone in on her talents for drawing and painting, Remige uses other artists whose works she respects to set goals for herself. “I would see different artists online and completely obsess over them and dream about just being able to wake up in the morning and draw like that whenever I felt like it,” Remige said. “Other artists are for sure what made me want to get better and evolve with my art because I wanted to be like them.” Incorporating her inspirations into her work comes easily for Remige, with her personal style being what she calls a “realistic, but not full realism” style. The application of her specific take

on realism is prevalent in the previously mentioned structures she can imagine, but can also be seen in her drawings of people. Drawing humans to look as they would if the drawing was real while also applying an unrealistic twist to the actual content has allowed for Remige’s favorite of her own works to be created. “(The picture) is this awful giant child that I drew very late at night for my art class. It’s just a huge toddler towering over a building that I drew in pencil to demonstrate proportion, and I don’t know why he’s my favorite thing ever, but he is,” Remige said with a smile. With her art playing such a huge role in her life, it only makes sense that the creativity she uses in her drawings be shared with her other hobbies. Upcycling, the practice of taking old clothes and reusing them to make

a nice new style, is one of Remige’s other favorite pastimes, with theater arts also playing a role in making her happy. Remige’s many forms of inspiration allow her to flourish in numerous aspects of the art world. Despite any turmoil Remige may face in her life, art will always be a driving force to give her a much needed push from time to time. “You’re gonna hear this a million times if you’re getting into art, but I’m saying it anyways because it’s important: Just don’t get too harsh with yourself. Everyone in the world has the capacity to be a great artist. It just takes time and experience,” Remige said. “Art should never not be fun, and if you find yourself stressing over it so much that it’s not fun anymore, stop immediately and take a breather.” Sophomore Samuel Smith can be reached at 23smithsa22@daretolearn. org.

Our View: Perseverance withstands a trying time

Nighthawk News Editors-in-Chief: Cassie Honeycutt, Katie MacBride Online Editors-in-Chief: Peyton Dickerson, Kayla Hallac Features Editors: Maggie McNinch, Versailles Dalessio Opinions Editors: Crae Walker, Maren Ingram Sports Editors: Jack Voight, Noah Kinnisten Photo Editor: Taylor Newton News Editor: Cole Tomlin Multimedia Editor: Michael Pearson Social Media Editors: Kate Hamilton, Callie Honeycutt Business Manager: Fiona Finchem Staff Writers: Joey Krieg, Dani Alfaro, Mackenzie Edwards, Colin Tran, Emma Braithwaite, Emmy Benton, Daisy Morales, Paulina Goping, Olivia Sugg, Lily Snow, Maura Trivette, Stella Bryson, Allie Nigro, Samuel Smith, Tatum Love, Morgan Deane, Christopher Young-Stone, Audrey Lovell, Noelani Santana Adviser: Steve Hanf

ighthawk News Magazine is published four times a 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 School. Approximately 3,000 copies are distributed in various retail outlets throughout 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; bylined columns are the opinion of the authors. Readers are encouraged to write letters to the editor on matters of concern. Letters may be mailed to FFHS or delivered to Room B-214. They must be signed. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, grammatical errors or libelous content. Reach us by mail at 100 Veterans Drive, Kill Devil Hills, N.C. 27948, by phone at (252) 449-7000 or by e-mail at hanfst@daretolearn.org. Advertising inquiries can be made by phone or email. Nighthawk News is a member of the North Carolina Scholastic Media Association and the National Scholastic and Southern Interscholastic press associations. Our stories also are published online at NighthawkNews.com. Follow us on Twitter @FFNighthawkNews, Facebook.com/NighthawkNews, Instagram @FFHSNighthawkNews and Snapchat at Nighthawk.News. Sun Coast Press of Venice, Florida, prints our paper.

his past year has been filled because of how sudden it was. with countless ups and downs Then, on Jan. 26, 2021, junior – from abrupt school closures, Tatum Love was involved in a car accithe frantic switch to online dent that left her critically injured with school amid a pandemic, and one of significant brain trauma – which hit us our own newspaper staff hard and caused us to take members getting critically a step back to collect our injured in a car accident – thoughts, as she’s a part of but perseverance is what our staff. The feeling was pushed us through the indescribable, as everyhardest of times. thing was still so unknown, On March 13, 2020, but now – three and a half school closed indefinitely months since the accident STAFF due to the global pandem– Tatum is recovering well EDITORIAL ic, just as the newspaper in a rehab center in Atlanta and will hopefully be restaff was in full swing producing a spring edition paper. turning home soon. Inevitably, plans changed, and the Starting March 1, new changes arose, as Dare County Schools made decision to put the paper on hold was unavoidable but incredibly difficult to the tough decision to start sending make. students back to school in-person for For the remainder of the year, we the second time this year. So now, continued to push on and produce with a couple months of being back in the building, we have started produconline content that was posted to our website, and were able to get out a ing our first print edition as an entire staff in more than a year – something senior edition print paper right before that has been incredibly exciting as graduation. However, we still weren’t able to gather as a staff like normal, we’re finally back in the newsroom together. which wasn’t easy, but challenged us to find a way to work together from So far, we’ve had a great couple of home. months back in school, as we got to In October of the 2020-2021 have somewhat normal football games school year, we began in-person with a Homecoming court for the first school again, this time with a large time in a year and a half, and things are staff full of new writers and editors. improving as students look forward to But it was short-lived; we were only prom on May 22. in the building for three weeks before To be able to see things slowly returning to online school, another returning back to normal firsthand is hard thing to come to terms with – as both relieving and exciting, especially we were so close yet so far from things after so many months of sheer uncergoing back to normal. tainty. Around the same time, in the midst We can only hope that through of remote learning, beloved Carpensheer force of will and cooperation and try teacher Mike Pitzulo suddenly perseverance, some sense of normalcy passed away, which struck not only his will return to the world soon, newspastudents but everyone at First Flight pers and all.

IN OUR OPINION

Hawk Talk: What would you want future

“It was deﬁnitely a crazy year, but we all got through it together and still made it back to school.” – freshman Caden Hedges

“You should really appreciate the little things in life because you’ll never know when things are going to change.” – freshman Isabella Thorn

“I think they should remember that as a society, we can get through anything if we put our minds to it.” – sophomore Logan Thiessen

“It was a circus for everyone – it certainly felt that way! I think everyone will try to be a lot more aware of everything they say and what they do and how they act!”

– sophomore McKenna Grifﬁth

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

t’s the second month of quarantine... COVID-19 has begun to impact your life more than you could have ever predicted, and you ﬁnd yourself once again pacing your house with nothing to do. Suddenly the idea strikes you: You make your way toward the hall closet to locate and dust off your family’s old board games. It’s been over a year since our lives were uprooted by COVID-19, and if this yearlong quarantine has taught us anything, it’s that we strongly lack the desire to play old-fashioned board games. Even at the height of my boredom, the thought rarely crosses my mind to pull out a big box ﬁlled with cardboard and childhood trauma from my hall closet, especially in an age where online games dominate our subconscious. Don’t get me wrong, getting the family together during a holiday or intense hurricane to play Monopoly or The Game of Life was always a great time, but if I was given the chance to play Minecraft instead, I wouldn’t think twice. The big downside to these games is that they are often

very short in the long run, especially compared to more modern online Role Playing Games (RPGs), which can be played for hours on end with very little being accomplished in the game. Not all board games are like this. Take Dungeons and Dragons, for example. Many members of Generation Z play this game religiously, and just as often as others may play Mario Odyssey or The Legend of Zelda. The common theme seen between all of these games is that they are all RPGs, where players take rolls of developed characters made either by themselves or the game’s creators. Yes, you take control of characters in Monopoly, but to most people, it’s much more appealing to be leading a warlock or super-soldier than a shoe or thimble. We have reached a point where the games played are not just quick on-a-whim moments, but long, intense events where the player can become involved in not only the gameplay but the story it provides. They possess detail-ﬁlled stories that stretch over several games, and are not just told,

but lived out by the player. Imagine after Darth Vader is killed in “Return of the Jedi,” and you’re not only comprehending the event that just occurred, but you have to escape the now exploding death star playing Luke Skywalker. That’s what it’s like to play a good RPG. It can be hard for older generations to realize just how impactful the time spent online is on our mental health, especially in a time where our online subconscious contributes largely to our overall personality. We also find ourselves at this time in our life needing a break more and more, whether it be from school, jobs or simply life as a whole. High school can be a stressful, anxiety-filled time even without a global pandemic affecting our lives, and sometimes the ability to sit down and zone out for a couple of hours can be more impactful than most people think. So parents, next time you find your child at their computer or TV grinding away at whatever storyline they desire, realize that this seemingly lazy activity could actually be helping them more in the long run than you could ever imagine. Junior Michael Pearson can be reached at 22pearsonmi74@ daretolearn.org.

Photo Illustration by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

generations to know about this year?

“I would want future generations to remember to be thankful for things like school and sports because you don’t know how much you miss them until they are gone.”

– junior Susie Hala

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

“That Elon Musk became the richest.” – junior Lane Halﬁn

“Even through these tough times, we all found ways to stay strong and persevere.” – senior Ashton Everhart

“For real, kids, stay in school, it isn’t that bad. You’ll miss it once it’s taken away from you.” – senior Bella Schweitzer

Pandemic proves it: ‘The only constant in life is change’

he arrival of the pandemic came like another sequel to the interminable horror movie series Friday the 13th: terrible and unwanted, leaving people to wonder if it will ever end. What we thought would be a fun, two-week vacation transformed into a lost year of school, camaraderie and sports. The ability to go out to eat, hang out with friends, even hug grandparents was completely questioned, all caused by a tiny virus. There were a lot of things that were forced to change in order to survive the pandemic. With mask mandates, limits on the number of people in buildings and curfews, many businesses had to change the way they operated. A large number of restaurants shifted from in-person dining to take-out only, and those that allowed customers inside were forced to change the layout of their restaurant to fit the social distance and limited capacity rules. This led to a spike in food delivery services, such as DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber Eats as more and more people opted to eat their food at home. Big box stores like Walmart had to count the number of people coming in and out and put arrows on the floor to show the direction of consumer traffic throughout the store. They also had curbside pick-up areas, so people didn’t even have to come inside.

Many of the large department stores like Belk and Macy’s had to close down their dressing rooms, so shoppers weren’t able to try on clothes before buying. This gave rise to an increase in the volume of online shopping, which in turn impacted shipping and delivery times. The enormous number of people attending work from home led to an increase in the use of virtual meeting platforms like Zoom, Google Meet and Skype. These programs will continue to be used, and the comical interruptions of pets and screaming children will be here to stay. Many white-collar positions will likely continue to work extensively from home. As a result, the amount of office space needed by companies will diminish. On the upside, more people staying at home to work for the long-term will reduce traffic congestion and automobile fuel emissions. While those are all examples of things that will likely stay the same due to the pandemic, the other side of the spectrum is just as vast. As we’re already seeing, contact hours in schools are changing, as well as the rules and regulations surrounding sporting events. It is also likely that vacation and business travel will gradually pick back up, as more and more people

will feel better about journeying long distances now that a vaccine is being administered. Mask wearing will not completely go away, but will probably be resigned to the occasionally crowded and densely populated events. Those include public transportation, concerts and indoor sports arenas. Being able to visit family and close friends again can be placed in the category of things that will absolutely go back to normal. This pandemic revealed a basic human need of companionship and touch within friends and family, and that need remains undaunted. We will not likely have the luxury of waiting another century before the next pandemic due to our ever-increasing population’s pattern of encroaching on limited wildlife habitats. Many of the world’s recent viruses have originated in other mammals and then jumped to humans. Added to the likelihood of another pandemic is the ease and speed of global travel. Thankfully, our investment in science and medicine over the past 50 years has yielded spectacular tools that enable scientists to create vaccines in record time to combat future viruses. While there are many variables going into this pandemic’s equation, one thing is for sure: We’ve learned to handle the uncertainties that this virus has thrown at us and adapt to them. As Heraclitus said, “The only constant in life is change.” Junior Maggie McNinch can be reached at 22mcninchma07@daretolearn.org.

No green thumb needed for the best indoor plants to grow this spring

pring is here, and you know what that means: This season has come in a full bloom of green – green leaves, green plants and green thumbs, or maybe not-so-green thumbs. Want something to plant? Here are the best plants to grow this spring season, all from the comfort of inside your home since indoor planting may be a better alternative for those unsure of their gardening skills: Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is very popular today. Besides its skin-healing properties and medicinal purposes, it can make a great indoor plant. It only requires a sunny place and water once in a while. Aloe Vera is easily a plant everyone should have. African Violets: African Violets can add color to any room, and only require a small amount of water and indirect sunlight. Plus, they can live for decades if cared for properly.

Begonia: These brightly colored flowers can be grown indoors or outdoors depending on the climate. They require shade and like to be kept moist. Because of their bright blooms, they can be the perfect plant for any flower lover. Flowering Kalanchoe: Kalanchoe will make a great addition to your flowering garden. These sun-loving plants require low levels of water and are super easy to care for. They come in many colors and can provide colorful blooms throughout the whole year.

String of Pearls: With its cascading look, a String of Pearls can transform any home into a flowery garden. These fast-growing plants require lots of water and bright light, but in the end, will look magnificent in any room.

Hens and Chicks: With intricate patterns and pointy leaves, these flower-looking plants win in the most-detailed category. They can be easily grown, as they require small amounts of water, bright sunlight, and can be grown either outdoors or indoors. With their fascinating geometry, Hens and Chicks can be the ideal plant for any detail-looking person. Jade: A small yet elegant plant that has a tree-like appearance, Jade almost makes your room appear like a miniature wonderland. Jade plants require medium light and small amounts of water. They can easily make the perfect plant for anyone just starting a garden. Prickly Pear Cactus: For those of us who don’t necessarily have a green thumb, a Prickly Pear Cactus might just be the perfect option. With their low water needs and sunny requirements, a Prickly Pear Cactus is the best option for people, like me, who tend to forget to water their plants. Plus, they can be planted inside or outside. Be careful, though, because these spiky plants can surely prick like a needle.

Pothos: If you’re someone like me who has a dimly lit room, these viridescent plants are a great pick and, as one would say, a foolproof plant. These plants require minimal sunlight and moderate water levels. With their big green leaves, these plants are the definition of a garden. Peace Lilies: Known for their white blooms, Peace Lilies bring a tropical feeling. They require lots of water, but can grow with little sunlight. In addition, they will let you know when they are dry, as their leaves start wilting toward the ground. They will turn any room into a tropical paradise. Yucca: Naturally growing in a desert, Yucca plants require very little water and can be grown indoors or outdoors. They have pointy leaves and small white bulbs. Ideal for any inside room or outside garden, Yucca plants can add color to a dull landscape. Everyone can grow plants. Green thumb or not, there is a plant just for you. So this spring season, grab some soil and get planting. Sophomore Daisy Morales can be reached at 23moralesda04@daretolearn. org.

Photos by Theresa Honeycutt/ Special to Nighthawk News

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

The best reads of 2021 for bored bookworms

hese days, it may feel like we have too much time on our hands. Or too little. Whichever the case may be, there is always enough time for a good book. These are eight fabulous books that have stuck with me over the years and that you should check out.

knew nothing about so extensively and comprehensively, and was just beautiful. It does take a bit to get into, but it’s definitely worth the read.

confusing since all 10 characters are introduced at once, but it clears up quickly after that. It’s short, but will leave you hanging on till the very end.

“Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen

“The Overstory” by Richard Powers

“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” by Rebecca Skloot

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Mrs. Bennet, a mother of five daughters, holds this belief very close to her heart. So when a wealthy young gentleman, Mr. Bingley, rents out a manor in the neighboring town, she is quick to jump on the opportunity to try and marry one of her daughters off to him. This plan is set to action when a ball is held that includes both Mr. Bingley and his friend, Mr. Darcy. The eldest Bennet, Jane, hits it off with Mr. Bingley immediately, while animosity begins to grow between Mr. Darcy and the second eldest, Elizabeth. 19th-century enemies to lovers, what can be better than that? It is truly a fantastic book from start to finish. I love how Austen makes jabs at the social class of her time, and how she expresses this through Elizabeth Bennet. The rest of the characters are phenomenal as well, and have a range of different personalities. Overall, it focuses heavily on social class, marriage and, of course, love. It’s an easy-to-read classic and overall just a fantastic time.

During the time when scientists were trying to grow self-sustaining human cells, Henrietta Lacks was trying to get by as a poor, southern African-American woman. The two came together when Lacks got cervical cancer, and cell samples of her cervix were taken without her knowledge. Lacks died shortly afterward, but scientists had found their “immortal” cells: the HeLa cells.“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” discusses who Henrietta Lacks was, why her cells are so important, why she went unrecognized for decades, and the pain it caused her family. I love how descriptive and well-researched both sides of the HeLa story are, and that each side has a good amount of coverage. It’s also educational but easy to read, which is ideal for a nonfiction book. I also love how it raises moral questions, like do we own the bodies that we live in and what recognition means. “A Tale for the Time Being” by Ruth Ozeki On the coast of a small island in Canada, a Hello Kitty lunch box washes up on shore. Inside is a diary following the life of 16-yearold Noa, who has decided that there is only one way to escape her classmate’s bullying, her loneliness and miserable family situation. But before she acts on her decision, she plans to document the life of her great-grandmother – a 104-year-old Buddhist priest. Ruth is a novelist who discovers the lunchbox. She follows along with Noa’s narrative, wondering who she was and where she could be now. I love the dual-narrative of the story, and how complex and different both of the characters’ lives are. Ozeki’s writing style is fun and easy to read, and the story flows well with it. I also enjoyed how the book goes into Japanese culture and Zen Buddhism. Ozeki NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

herself is a Zen Buddhist priest, so it makes the story seem more authentic. The book does feel slow at times, but is overall fantastic and a great read. “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman Hidden in the forest of Northern Sweden, Beartown is a small town barely hanging on. The one thing that Beartown does have, though, is a fantastic junior hockey team, which is about to compete in the national semi-finals. Leading the team is 17-year-old Kevin Erdahl, the most talented hockey player Beartown has seen in decades. As the big game comes closer, however, things come to a standstill. The coach’s daughter has come forward about Erdahl raping her, leaving the town divided in two. I cannot seem to get this book out of my head. I love how Backman narrates and how developed all of his character’s backgrounds are. He also tackles issues of homophobia, peer pressure, idolization and rape. Even if you are not a fan of sports, “Beartown” is a great read since it has so much more to offer. “The Island of Sea Women” by Lisa See Set on the matrifocal Jeju Island, the story follows YoungSook and her friend Mi-Ja. The two girls come from different backgrounds, but become close friends as they begin working as “Haenyeos” – Jeju female divers. This changes with Japanese Colonialism in the 1930s-40s, the Jeju Uprising, World War II, and the Korean War, which uproots their lives and destroys their friendship. The story switches back from past to present, as Young-Sook reflects on her relationship with Mi-Ja as her family visits the island. There is so much to love about “The Island of Sea Women.” See’s writing style, how incredibly well-researched it is, how thought-out the characters are. It described a culture and location I

“And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie Ten strangers, who share nothing in common except a criminal past, get invited for a weekend to a small, private island off the coast of Devon. Their host, Mr. U.N. Owen, is nowhere to be found. The estate is like any other, except that the “Ten Little Indians” nursery rhyme is framed and hung in every room. The evening progresses without hiccup – that is, until each guest gets accused of murder and one falls dead. This leaves the remaining guests terrified and with a few questions. Why did they get invited to the island? What will happen to them? And Who is Mr. U.N. Owen? Agatha Christie isn’t nicknamed the “Queen of Crime” for no reason. This book is filled with plot twists, red herrings, suspense and a phenomenal epilogue. Basically, everything you want in a mystery book. The start is somewhat

We usually read to immerse ourselves in the lives of others, but this isn’t the case in “The Overstory.” This book is all about immersing yourself in the life of trees. This is done through the eyes of nine characters, each having their own connection to trees and a drive to protect them, whether this means living in a redwood or creating a video game that lets players devise ways to save the natural world. It all starts from roots, trunk, crown to seeds. I love how this story doesn’t revolve around people. It’s quite a refreshing and unique read as a result. I also love how it goes into our relationship with trees. Even though we don’t notice them regularly, they are a big part of our lives. Powers’ writing style is very poetic, and the book is well researched. It is a long and detailed story, so it is best to read slowly rather than powering through. “Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch” by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman Armageddon is only a week away, and demon and angel pair Crowley and Aziraphale couldn’t be filled with more dread. Ten years ago, they were tasked with raising the Antichrist, but two things have changed since then: 1) Crowley and Aziraphale have grown fond of the mortal world and aren’t too excited for its destruction, and 2) The Antichrist seems to be misplaced. Conspiring to stop Armageddon together, the two go out on a frantic search to find the Antichrist as the world around them slowly goes haywire. “Good Omens” is a fantastic book if you want a good laugh. It’s filled with irony and very dry, British humor. There is a great variety of characters as well, ranging from the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse to a computer engineer who can’t seem to work with electronics. It’s a satire with a strangely heartwarming ending, and a running theme on what it means to be human. Sophomore Paulina Goping can be reached at 23gopingpa94@daretolearn. org.

Seniors hoping for some normalcy as weird year closes

t’s the last quarter of senior year and for many, it is the first time they have been at school for in-person instruction since March 13 of last year. It’s the year we have worked so hard for, we have waited for, the year where we get to enjoy all the privileges that come with being a senior, and they’re all being crunched into a nine-week period. However, many of those senior privileges were stripped away due to COVID-19. This year, there was no Homecoming Week excitement, no dressing up in as much red as possible and marching in the parade. No Homecoming dance. No Senior Day where you get to gather with the whole class for breakfast and take a trip across the street to the Wright Brothers monument for a class picture. No lunches in the senior lounge. No first pick on parking spots. No in-person internships. No crowded stands at sports events. No feelings associated with being a senior. And to top if off, COVID made it impossible to have a traditional prom, which is a huge letdown because this year’s seniors were unable to attend prom last April due to COVID, meaning they will never have a normal prom experience, although the event set for May 22 should be a nice stand-in. For the year that so many of us had such high expectations for, it has certainly come with its letdowns. However, there is hope for some sense of normalcy as we return to in-person instruction, although it is only four days a week. For those of us who are suffering from a major case of senioritis, myself included, having a more structured school week and being able to enter the building is just what we needed. It might not be much, but it feels good to be back on a schedule.

Illustration by Savannah Sawin/Special to Nighthawk News

I never thought I’d hear myself say it ... but it is nice to be back in school. And despite the disappointments we seniors have experienced this year, we are still hopeful and optimistic that these last six weeks will be memorable. One optimistic memory being graduation: To be able to walk across the stage with the whole class as well as family members in attendance would bring much-deserved recognition and celebration for the Class of 2021. Getting to have one senior stepping stone in this year of misfortune would be greatly appreciated, and would give seniors something to look forward to and remember. Not only that, but the Facebook community has rallied together once again to celebrate seniors amid COVID-19 in the “Adopt a Senior” Facebook group,

which connects seniors to their “adopted” sponsor. First, a parent or senior posts a bio about the senior on the page and a sponsor will “adopt” them. The sponsor then provides an act of kindness by giving the senior a gift to let them know that their accomplishments have not been forgotten. So, although this year has not been what we seniors expected it to be, I am still hopeful that the final weeks will give me more memories to look back on from my senior year rather than being cooped up in the house. And with that being said, I ask my fellow classmates to try to think about the positive memories and experiences they have from this not-so-normal senior year, and to be optimistic about what the next final weeks of high school will bring. Maybe if we wish hard enough, we will be able to walk across that stage as a class and take the next big step forward together. Senior Katie MacBride can be reached at 21macbrideka62@daretolearn.org.

Looking to spice up your playlist? Here are some

hen it comes to music, not everyone has the same tastes. From pop to early 2000s to R&B, there is such a large amount of options to choose from. So, here are a few recommendations ranging all over the music spectrum: If you are into R&B, or R&B Soul, then Pip Millett is the artist for you. Her extended play (EP), “Do Well,” is recommended by sophomore Colin Tran. “Anyone who is into R&B would really like her because she is really different, and she is also from Europe and has a cool accent,” Tran said. “It’s very different from a lot of other music that people listen to now that’s similar to R&B.” In addition, he also recommends the whole “Ctrl” album by SZA, or pretty much any song or album by SZA. Although Taylor Swift has always

been a big artist in the pop world, over the years, she has produced albums in the country, pop and now folk genres. With that in mind, sophomore Olivia Sugg has been a fan of Taylor Swift since her first album came out. “If you like country music, pop or just any type of music, Taylor Swift has a song that you’re going to enjoy listening to and that’s why I like her so much,” Sugg said. Sugg recommends any of her old albums, such as “Speak Now” or

“Fearless,” as well as one of her newer albums, “Evermore.” On the other hand, early 2000s music has a completely different vibe than most other genres of music. If that’s your jam, then check out these recommendations from sophomore Brigid Preisser: “For early 2000s music, Outkast, always – you need to listen to Outkast on repeat,” Preisser said. “TLC is also really good, and Alexa Demie has a song that I didn’t know about and it’s not bad.” Preisser also recommends some additional artists, including NewSchool Vintage, Lein, Girlpool, Mitski and Cold Foamers, which all give you that early 2000s vibe and won’t disappoint. In the same sense, if you’re interested in ‘80s music, then here are few a song recommendations to spice up your playlist: Songs like “Uptown Girl” by Billy

Joel always get people bopping, as well as “Dancing Queen” by Abba and “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners, which guarantees to get you in a good mood. “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” by Tears for Fears and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John will get you up on your feet, dancing and singing like you’re in the ‘80s. Additionally, when you want more of a “lay-on-the-floor-staring-at-yourceiling” kind of song, sophomore Samuel Smith has just the song for you: “ ‘Hey Lover’ by Wabie is very peaceful and has a nice vibe to it. It’s a song for when you don’t really know what’s going on, but you’re just chilling,” Smith said. “It’s a very mellow and chill song that can put you in a good mood easily.” He also recommends “Big Iron” by Marty Robbins, which gives you a different feel than “Hey Lover.”

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

Social media and COVID-19 spark changes in a changed world

t the beginning of the 21st century, the average person’s forms of communication were drastically different compared to what they are now. The early 2000s had no smartphones or easily accessible video chat. It was a very different time, but since then, there have been countless technological advancements made. The evolution of social media and its capabilities is the perfect representation of the technological advancements made over the years, as more and more platforms are capable of more and more communicative activities. Facebook allows users to message friends and acquaintances from around the world while also catching up on world events. Snapchat allows users to easily send photos and messages to their friends rather than needing to make specific posts. Instagram allows users to share photos on a far more image-than-chat-based form of communication. Each platform has constantly evolved in its ability to share content, whether it is the ability to live stream, to post “stories” (day-long posts that go away once the 24 hours are up), or to even use a simple share function to quickly go from one platform to another. All of these remote-oriented features were useful, sure, but they were just another way to communicate and share information instead of doing so with in-person interactions. The features weren’t necessarily needed. At the beginning of 2020, the global

pandemic known as COVID-19 hit. The world went into quarantine. Certain types of social interaction that had previously been commonplace whenever one felt like seeing their friends was suddenly a life-threatening activity, and thus had to be regulated by the world’s governments. Self-quarantine meant that everybody now had to find a way to communicate with the people in their lives in a more remote fashion, in much the same way social media was allowing for. All of a sudden, you couldn’t go out and see your boyfriend or girlfriend, you simply had to text them. You couldn’t go out for a night on the town, you had to start a group chat and talk about the things you wanted to do with them had you not been in the midst of a pandemic. Communication without the typical physical interaction was perfect for a pandemic. No saliva particulates to spread the infection, no social distancing rules to adhere to since you were already miles away from the person you were speaking to. The world wasn’t forced into an effective dark age. Social media has had a massive (positive) effect on the world in the midst of the pandemic because it gives a sense of normalcy. You aren’t forced to “ghost” everybody you’re close to when you can’t see them, and you could just check their story or feed whenever you wanted to see what they were up to. I personally get annoyed by social media a lot more than I probably should. I used to think of social media along the lines of, “If I wanted to

Photo by Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/TNS

The Snapchat logo seems to float over the beach in Los Angeles in a reflection from a nearby store. Social media apps have been a key mode of connection during the pandemic.

see other people be happy while I’m alone in my house, I’d watch a movie while wrapped in a blanket.” After a year of COVID, though, I’m starting to understand that it’s not about shallow people showing off their “#blessed” to people they want to love them. Admittedly, the “shallow lifestyle” can be perpetuated by social media at times, and certain studies have shown a 13 to 66 percent increase in rates of depression, according to the Child Mind Institute. Both of those facts also play a large role in my problem with social media, but given the rather special circumstances of a global pandemic, one cannot effectively take a stance when only one side of the situation is observed. It has been found in a study led by public health researcher Kassandra Alcaraz that long-term loneliness and isolation can lead to premature death, or at the very least increase the chances of such by 60%. Social media, while traditionally

risky in its own usage for the likes of a teenage mind, does alleviate the arguably more important risk of complete isolation from everybody around you. While children and teenagers are far more “flexible” than adults in some psychological regards, it’s still important that they aren’t isolated from their environment. Overall, I do believe that social media has allowed for a much easier transition into social-distanced living than would otherwise be the case for children from 20 years ago. Life hasn’t come to a halt just yet, and the ability for communication between the world has played a large part in that. U.K. journalist Jon Ronson once said, “The great thing about social media was how it gave a voice to voiceless people,” and in a time where one can no longer go outside and say something for those around them to hear, such a quote was never more appropriate. Sophomore Samuel Smith can be reached at 23smithsa22@daretolearn.org.

tunes to boost your mood “It’s a country-sounding song, but it’s not country,” Smith said. “It’s got a cool story and it’s a good song to get you hyped up.” And if none of those music recommendations appeal to your liking, then you can always try the good, old Indie Pop. “I really like ‘Warm Glow’ by Hippo Campus, which is my favorite song by them,” sophomore Chloe Wienert said. “I don’t understand any of the words. I know what the words say, but it’s literally just nonsense, but it’s so good.” She also recommends more traditionally well-known artists like Coldplay and Glass Animals: “I think ‘Dreamland’ by Glass Animals is a quarantine song. It reminds me of when quarantine first started,” Wienert said. “And then if I were to listen to it a few years from now, then it would probably bring me some nostalgia.”

Likewise, “Swing Lynn” by Harmless and “Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second” by STRFKR always brings back memories, reminding her of the drives in her car with her brother when he would play those songs. On the other hand, she also recommends other selections from Hippo Campus: “It has some really long songs that you can just play in the background,” Wienert said. “Some of their songs are six minutes and are just good to chill to.” Above all, you never know what different types of music you may be interested in, so maybe try a little from each genre, and you might find you have a varied music taste. Just dip your toe in the world of music and you may discover some cool artists. Sophomore Maura Trivette can be reached at 23trivettema00@daretolearn. org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / opinions

These albums are some favorites Maura Trivette and friends have been listening to. ‘Ctrl’ by SZA (top left), ‘Speakerboxxx/The Love Below’ by Outkast (top right), ‘Do Well’ by Pip Millett (bottom left) and ‘Evermore’ by Taylor Swift.

Miller dives off the Outer Banks into a promising future By Kayla Hallac Online Editor-In-Chief

ids, don’t try this at home just because it worked out OK for freshman Gray Miller. “I don’t have any (athletes) in my whole career of coaching that I’ve had start by sending me a video of them diving off a Coke machine into the pool,” Miller’s main diving coach, Keith Kopecky, said with a chuckle. “Oh, it was hilarious.” As a young boy, Miller climbed up a ladder to the top of a Coke machine next to his family’s pool for one of the most memorable dives of his career. “I started diving with a coach two years ago, but I would always dive off a board at my house when I was younger,” Miller said. “When my mom would be at work, my dad would pull a bunch of tables on the side of the pool and I just started to dive off of them and it sparked my interest.” This sport isn’t offered or coached locally, but Miller took his passion and ran with it. He is the only high school diver on the Outer Banks, and the only diver in the N.C. High School Athletic Association eastern 1A/2A region. Miller trains twice a week for about two hours in Virginia Beach with about 20 others at K2 Diving. The coaches at K2 help improve Miller’s skills for competitive meets. Thanks to COVID-19, the practice time has been cut from about 25 hours a week to about three and a half. Yet even with this limited practice time, Miller has been able to make progress. He placed sixth in the NCHSAA state championships in 1-meter diving. “I’m always proud of doing my best and there’s people who practice every single day, five days a week,” Miller said. “I always place really high near those kids considering I only practice two days a week.” Miller’s coach added that Miller has several important qualities that make a great diver. “When he started, I think he didn’t really know that he had the talent, and he’d go to some of the AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) or USA diving meets and he wasn’t as confident,” Kopecky said. “As he progressed and got to harder dives and started beating the people that beat him, he started to gain a lot more confidence, and with that came the desire to train harder and do better.” His natural ability to dive comes from his passion and inspiration, including his dad and older sisters Hayley and Shelby, who were well-

known members of the FFHS cheer teams. “I’ve always looked up to him because he’s a really hard worker, and my sisters taught me flips when we were younger so I’ve always been really acrobatic,” Miller explained. Being acrobatic has allowed Miller to pick up his own diving style. Miller claims everyone has a different way they execute a dive and he describes himself as graceful and with ease. That’s a style he works on whenever there’s anything to jump off. This could be a bridge, a diving board, a stack of coolers or, of course, a Coke machine. “He found ledges on the post of a bridge in the OBX and did dives off of them; even though he can’t always make it all the way to Virginia to practice, he still finds ways to dive,” teammate Faith Pearson said. Miller said he enjoys the feeling that goes along with each and every dive. “I joke to my mom that I’m an adrenaline junky and a daredevil,” Miller said. “I’ve always been super crazy and I like to do crazy things, so it’s kind of a scary feeling, but it’s a good scary feeling.” This rare attitude is important for divers. Without it, it’s hard to spontaneously jump and flip from heights, which explains why Miller is so unique in the community. Being the only diver in the region isn’t as rewarding as it might seem. “I think it’s kind of bittersweet,” Kopecky said. “It’s nice that he’s the only fish in the sea, but I’m sure he’d like to have a little more competition, and he doesn’t get that until he comes up to our meets.” On the other hand, the freshman already is being noticed by college coaches who go to the meets he attends, which is important for his future. “I would love to go to the Olympics, but I think getting an education and being on the dive team would be really good,” Miller said. Reaching either of those goals would be quite an accomplishment after that leap of faith into the hotel pool. “I’m always one of the loudest cheering for him on the pool deck,” Pearson said. “It is so cool being able to see Gray do great at meets because he is not only my friend, but he is also so invested in diving, and I think it is so awesome to see him succeed in something he has put so much time and effort into.” Junior Kayla Hallac can be reached at 22hallacka85@daretolearn.org.

Submitted Photos

Freshman Gray Miller makes a dive at one of his competitive meets as the crowd on the pool deck looks on. His start in the sport came as a daredevil jumping into the pool off a Coke vending machine. While Miller technically is part of the FFHS swim team and represents the Nighthawks in regional and state championship meets, he is the only diver in the entire eastern half of the state for the 1A/2A ranks.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

Nighthawks face major shift to 3A status

By Lily Snow Staff Writer

ertie, Northeastern, Hertford County, Pasquotank, Currituck and First Flight. Those are the six teams currently in the Northeastern Coastal 2A Conference. But this won’t be the case for much longer. The North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) is finalizing the realignment of conferences for 2021-2025, as the organization in charge of public school sports does every four years. However, this year is a little different because there are more factors being used to determine the realignment than in past years. Due to these new factors, First Flight is being moved up to the NCHSAA 3A classification. Normally, the realignment is made just based on enrollment, meaning 1A had the smaller schools and 4A had the biggest schools. There weren’t exact enrollment numbers that determine this, but rather the largest 20% of schools were in 4A, the next largest 30% were in 3A, the next largest 30% were in 2A, and the smallest 20% were in 1A. This year, NCHSAA officials are adding in other factors to the realignment in addition to enrollment. They are also changing it so that there will be an even number of schools in each division. “The new formula takes the ISP (free and reduced lunch percentages), as well as past success in Wells Fargo Cup points in addition to enrollment into consideration,” Athletic Director Chad Williams said. “Essentially, our low percentage of ISP and our tremendous success in Wells Fargo Cup is what ushered us into the 3A category.”

Moving into the 3A category will involve some changes, but a few things will remain similar. One aspect that will remain the same is the conference. With this realignment, the conference will be a split 2A/3A conference with First Flight and Currituck being the 3A teams, then Hertford County, Northeastern, Pasquotank, Manteo, Edenton Holmes and Camden County being the 2A teams. Bertie is dropping to 1A and will no longer be in the Northeastern Coastal conference. This will change the conference from being six teams to eight teams, which comes with some beneﬁts and some drawbacks. “These are certainly geographically centered and will enable us to play more teams that are closer to us and should generate new rivalries and enhance existing ones,” Williams said. “At the same time, this could hurt our nonconference scheduling ability, as all of our conference teams will be jockeying to schedule the “local” teams that are not in our league.” For instance, First Flight has played Manteo, Holmes and Camden in nonconference games in nearly every sport, but now those will be league games. The move to 3A and the new competition it will create is an exciting idea for some student-athletes. “I think the best part about moving up will be the harder competition, because harder competition helps motivate our athletes,” sophomore Colin Tran said. “This will also give our athletes more experience that can help them in the future when they pursue sports at the college level.” Junior Warner Campbell agreed: “I think that moving up to 3A will be beneﬁcial to our school because it will give us more chances to compete at a

higher level and also push us to be better overall.” However, Campbell also recognizes that more competition could also have some drawbacks. “I do think that there are some drawbacks with the competition being better. It might be harder to win state titles,” Campbell said. Moving into the 3A category will almost certainly give First Flight the opportunity to compete against some bigger and better teams in North Carolina. However, because the Nighthawks are in a split conference, information on how playoffs will work has not yet been released. The way that playoffs end up playing out may make or break whether this realignment will be good for First Flight athletics as a whole. “I think that there are certainly pros and cons to the realignment. Had the eight teams in our league all been 2A schools, then I would say it is a home run,” Williams said. “However, I think it is too early to tell without fully knowing how this will impact playoff representation and the distance that will be required for travel to play against other 3A schools in the playoffs.” Regardless of the realignment, all the Nighthawks likely will be more interested in simply playing a regular season rather than focusing on who they’re playing after this past year. “I think for the most part that moving to a 3A division will be good for FFHS,” Tran said. “That means new competition and new challenges for our athletes, which will hopefully push our teams to a new level and bring out the full potential in our athletic department.” Sophomore Lily Snow can be reached at 23snowsi24@daretolearn.org.

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Practice pays off for Nighthawk athletes Ray Richards and the women’s basketball team went undefeated in conference play and won its first conference championship since 2007-08. The Nighthawks also earned a spot in the NCHSAA playoffs. Emma Richards and Liz Clagett were first-team al-conference performers and Bella Schweitzer earned second-team all-conference. Clagett was also second-team all-district and Richards was third-team all-district. At the end-of-year banquet, team awards went to Josie Voight (Rookie of the Year), Neely Morris (Hustle Award) and Clagett (MVP). “I’m really happy I got to play with this exciting bunch of girls and I’m really looking forward to next season,” Emma Richards said.

The women’s lacrosse team had an incredible year, winning first place in their conference after an amazing 9-1 record. This was the team’s first playoff appearance and conference title. Liz Clagett dominated the field with 50 goals. She also led the team in draws won (71.2%) and ground balls. Neely Morris led the team in assists (17). “It was definitely one of our best seasons, even with all of the hardships. I can’t wait to play next year and win again!” junior Neely Morris said.

After losing eight seniors and falling to the state champions in the semifinals in 2019, the men’s soccer team began its season with a tight back-and-forth match against Manteo that resulted in a tie. The team bounced back, winning eighth straight games (and tying once) up until a disappointing loss in the third round of the playoffs against Croatan in overtime. Croatan went on to win the state championship. Senior Tanner Bouker put on an impressive campaign, leading the team in both goals (19) and assists (11). “Scoring sick goals and learning how to overcome adversity as a team was my favorite part of the season,” Bouker said.

After last year’s rebuilding year, the football team started out with a win against Camden thanks to junior Porter Braddy’s game-winning touchdown. Unfortunately, the next three games didn’t go as planned as the Nighthawks fell to 1-3 on the season. On a better note, the Marlin is back – and in dominating fashion – after the Nighthawks beat Manteo 26-0 on their home field in the rivalry game. “My favorite part of the season was being able to become better friends with the people on the team and becoming more of a family,” sophomore Jace Porrata said. “And winning back the Marlin!”

All photos submitted except men’s basketball by Taylor Newton/ Nighthawk News and cross country by Walt Unks/Special

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

The volleyball team finished its season with a 5-6 record overall and going 2-3 in conference. Seniors who played their final season this year include Acy Davis, Aiden Flynn, Macey Haynes, Ivanna Gonzalez-Sanchez, Harper Weeks, Meghan Lewis and Lily Scarborough. “This year’s season was amazing. Even though it came with many difficulties due to COVID, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world,” senior Harper Weeks said. “It was a bittersweet ending. I’m really sad I won’t be able to play with the girls I’ve played with for more than six years, but I’m glad I got to play with them for so long.”

The men’s basketball team ﬁnished ﬁfth in the conference this year after losing much of its offense due to graduation. Despite a non-winning season, Isaac Dobie was the 24th-leading scorer per game in the state of North Carolina with 23.5 points per game. He was also the team’s leading rebounder and led the team in steals. Leading blockers were Jared Gwatkin and Cooper Hawk. Ian Crumpler led the team in assists for coach Chad Williams. “It was a very fun season and I’m very excited to lead in points and rebounds,” Dobie said.

Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams won their conference championships, with Tyler Sylvia and Maddy Wagner (right) being named Runner of the Year. The all-conference men’s team consisted of nothing but Nighthawks on the first team: Sylvia, Warner Campbell, Max Bowlin, Henry Stecher and Devon Coughlin. Second-team honors went to Jackson Hannon, Colin Tran and JoJo Morgan. The all-conference women’s team had four Nighthawks, with Wagner joined by Lucy Stecher, Tatum Dermatas and Lily Snow. Second-team honors went to Chloe Wienert and Paulina Goping. “I’m really glad we got to have a season this year with COVID and everything going on and I’m really excited to see what we can do next year,” freshman Lucy Stecher said. After a shortened season due to COVID-19 and the loss of eight seniors, the men’s lacrosse team came out strong winning all their regular season games and securing a home playoff game. Unfortunately, their winning ways didn’t venture with them into the playoffs, as they lost to Chapel Hill 8-2 in the first round. On the bright side, leading goal scorer Nick Gardill (51) made first team all-region and second team all-state and was named Player of the Year and surpassed 100 points (goals and assists) for his high school lacrosse career. Players who made first team all-conference include Ethan Marshall, Nick Gardill, Dylan Byard, Jacob Gray and Porter Smith. Dylan Byard and Jacob Gray made third team all-region and third team all-state. Gray also led the team in face-off wins (103) and percentage (75.7%) and ground balls (111). Players who made second team all-conference include Cam Van Lunen and Jacob Gray. Scott Kresicki was named Rookie of the Year and John Van Lunen was named Coach of the Year. “My favorite part of the season was going undefeated and winning the conference championship,” Gardill said.

The swim team had an amazing season, as both the mens’ and womens’ teams won the conference championship. 13 swimmers qualiﬁed to swim at regionals, the largest group that has ever represented FFHS there. Those that swam at regionals include Hadley Hedges, Laney Dexter, Bri Wilson, Maura Trivette, Bella Cooper, Kira Walters, Tucker Crook, Jack Brown, Tyler Anderson, Christian Miller, Logan Theissen, Brodie Nash and Ben Tonnessen. Qualifying for the state championship meet were Gray Miller in diving, Bri Wilson in the 500 free, the men’s and women’s 200 free relay teams and the women’s 400 free relay. “Although swim was very different this year with practices and meets, I still enjoyed being able to have the team aspect and go through the season together,” junior Tucker Crook said.

Summaries by Jack Voight, Christopher Young-Stone, Joey Krieg and Maren Ingram/Nighthawk News

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

First Flight Sports Spotlight: A Q&A

Wes Rhodes

Brianna Wilson

Jacob Gray

Mackenzie Pappas

Junior

Senior

Sophomore

Freshman

How long have you been playing soccer? I think I started Rec league soccer 11 years ago.

How long have you been swimming? I have been swimming for six years.

What’s your favorite part about playing? I just like the competition and being able to play with my team and beat other teams.

What’s your favorite part about swimming? My favorite part of swim would be competing, getting best times and just having fun and joking around with my team members.

What is your favorite thing to do before a game? I like to listen to music to get concentrated. Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? Probably Barefoot Bernie’s. What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? I look up to the captains of the team, Robert and Tanner, because they lead the team. If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? I would donate half of it to charity and the other half keep for my family and me. What is your favorite holiday? Why? Christmas, it’s a fun time of year all December seeing all the decorations. What is a lifelong dream of yours? To travel the world and see every good mainland. What’s your favorite TV show? “The 100.” What’s your favorite beach access? Why do you like it? I like Bleriot Street because it has a nice current. If you could be any animal, what would it be? Why? I’d be a dog because it would be fun to not do anything and just run around.

What are you going to miss the most? I’m going to miss the friendships and bonds that were created through swimming. What is your favorite thing to do before a meet? My favorite thing to do before a meet is listen to music. It helps me focus. Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? My favorite place to eat is Panera Bread since mostly all of my meets are one to three hours away, especially the bigger meets. What swimmer (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? The Olympic swimmer I look up most to is Katie Ledecky because she’s so fast and a distance swimmer like me. What’s your favorite memory from your sport? My favorite memory was when I placed eighth at states in the 500 this year. What is your dream job and why? My dream job and major in college is criminology/psychology, and I hope to be in crime scene investigation. What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen? The best movie I’ve ever watched is a horror movie called “Hereditary.”

How long have you been playing lacrosse? Five years.

How long have you been playing volleyball? Three years.

What is your favorite part about your sport? My teammates – all the other guys, hanging out with them before practice, after practice and on bus rides.

What’s your favorite part about playing? When your team makes an amazing play and we all come together high-ﬁving and cheering.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? La Fogatas. The tacos there are ﬁre, all the cheese. What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? Nick Gardill, because he’s outside practicing every day, before and after school. What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? Going to showcases in Maryland and Richmond for travel lacrosse. If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be, and why? Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and Roger Federer. They are widely regarded as the best in their ﬁelds, very respected, and just great guys. What’s a fun fact about yourself? I have an allergy to red meat. What’s your favorite TV show? “Dexter.” What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen? “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” Best teacher ever? Why? Ms. Deal, she cares a lot about her students and it shows. What is your biggest pet peeve? When people bite their nails.

What is your favorite thing to do before a game? Listen to music with the team during warm-ups. What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? I look up to one of my old teammates the most because she taught me everything I know about volleyball and overall strengthened the mental aspect of the game for me. What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? My favorite memory playing volleyball would probably be our last game this past season. The reason I say this is because when I moved down here I knew nobody, but throughout the season I made so many incredible bonds and it was so cool to see how far I had grown with each teammate. If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? I would buy a beach house and then invest in more properties to keep growing my money. What is your biggest pet peeve? When people bite into cheese sticks without peeling them. What’s a fun fact about yourself? I am double-jointed in both thumbs. If you could be any animal, what would it be? Why? A black panther, because they are so majestic and powerful.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / spring / / 2021

with Nighthawk student-athletes

Shawn Taylor Junior

Katie MacBride Senior

How long have you been playing basketball? I have been playing basketball since I was 4.

How long have you been playing lacrosse? I started playing lacrosse my freshman year, so four years now.

What’s your favorite part about playing? My favorite part about playing is building relationships with my teammates.

What are you going to miss the most? I am going to miss my teammates and being a part of the improving program. My freshman year, we never won a game, but my senior year we went undefeated, being the ﬁrst women’s lacrosse team to win a conference title in school history.

What’s your favorite thing to do before a game? My pre-game ritual is deﬁnitely to get a nice meal in and always listen to music before every game. What player (teammate, college, or pro) do you look up to the most? A player I look up to is Victor Oladipo because I just love the way he plays. What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? My favorite memory playing basketball was playing at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Massachusetts. It was a really cool place to play and had a great environment. If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? If I became a millionaire at 20, I would give back to all my family and I would pay all my college bills and save the rest for when I’m older. What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is people who don’t shut the door behind them. What’s a fun fact about yourself? A fun fact about me is I lived in New Jersey my whole life and just recently moved to the Outer Banks in August.

What’s your favorite part about playing? My favorite part about playing lacrosse is just all of the memories it has given me, and the friends I have made by being a part of the program. Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? My favorite place to eat after a game is probably Chipotle. It is something different from the usual places we get to stop and eat during other sport seasons, but since our games are so far away, we get a different option. What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? A player I look up to the most is probably my coach, Steve Morris. He played lacrosse in college, so when he scrimmages with us at practice, he has a lot of really good skills and always impresses. His experience also helped teach me a lot. What is your dream job and why? I am currently pursuing a career in exercise science to become an occupational therapist. It is a good career that helps people, it makes good money and it will make school and work worth it in the long run.

Elliott Piland Senior

Courtney Beasley Sophomore

How long have you been swimming? On and off since sixth grade.

How long have you been playing basketball? Since I was in third grade.

What are you going to miss the most? Eating with everyone at Chickﬁl-A.

What’s your favorite part about playing? I like the offense part of basketball a lot and I like shooting.

What’s your favorite part about swimming? The accomplishment that you feel after winning a hard event.

What is your favorite thing to do before a game? Go out and eat with the team and listen to music.

What is your dream job and why? To become a commercial airline pilot. It just seems fun to wake up in a different place every day.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? We always get Tropical Smoothie before games because it’s light on the stomach, so deﬁnitely Tropical Smoothie.

If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? Put 70% into savings and another 17% into stocks and the rest towards college debt. I would not spend it, because I would not need to. What is your favorite holiday? Why? I like Thanksgiving because more of my family can be there. What is your biggest pet peeve? When people try to tell you what to do when you know what to do. What’s a fun fact about yourself? I got bored one day and started volunteering at the Southern Shores Fire Department. What’s your favorite beach access? Why? We have one for my neighborhood and I just like it because it is quiet during the summer and there is sometimes a break. If you could be any animal, what would it be? Why? A peregrine falcon, because they can ﬂy really fast.

What’s your favorite beach access? Why do you like it? Byrd Street, because all my friends always go there in the summer and I always see people I know when I go there. If you could be any animal, what would it be? Why? A dolphin, because that is my favorite animal. I am always in the ocean, I love the water and they are cute. What is your favorite holiday? Why? Fourth of July, because I like watching the ﬁreworks and hanging out with friends. What’s your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show is “Vampire Diaries.” I just recently started watching it and it’s so good. What’s a fun fact about yourself? Sunsets are my favorite time of day. What is your dream job and why? A pediatrician, because I like kids and being a doctor seems cool.

Photos by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News; Stephanie Harlow/Special; Submitted Reporting by Morgan Deane, Fiona Finchem, Kayla Hallac, Callie Honeycutt, Cassie Honeycutt, Maren Ingram and Katie MacBride NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / sports

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