Spring 2023 Nighthawk News Magazine

ON THE COVER

Trigger Warning: Sensitive content discussed throughout this edition

Whether it’s worrying why someone looks better in a bikini than you or getting cat-called while walking down the beach road, almost everyone on the Outer Banks has had a negative experience with the image that their body portrays.

We have all had the cliche pep talk about how people only share the good parts of their life on social media and none of the bad, but people still find themselves wanting that “picture perfect” body that they see on Instagram. On the contrary, in the world we live in, when you seek out that “perfect life” or “perfect body” (both of which do not exist, by the way), you open yourself up to a dark reality.

Body image issues. Eating disorders. Sexual harassment and/or assault.

We made the decision to

highlight the prevalence of these struggles in hopes of bringing awareness to these issues that affect so many in our small beach town. With National Eating Disorder Awareness Week occurring in March and Sexual Assault Awareness Month coming up in April, we thought this was the perfect time to bring these timely topics to light.

We talked to local experts, survivors and students to fully explore each complicated topic in a sensitive way that we hope will help change perceptions about these parts of life that are so rarely discussed in the open.

Our cover illustration, taken by Photo Editor Taylor Newton, depicts a large, looming shadow that many teenagers have hanging over them. The shadow represents threats such as eating disorders, sexual assault and body image struggles taking over

the teen population. While this edition is dedicated to plenty of hard-hitting issues, we also bring you a variety of our regular fun features. Learn more about plans for an accessible playground at Kitty Hawk Elementary School, meet the students behind the wildly successful production

of “Mamma Mia!” and listen up as four writers argue about the best music streaming service in our opinion section. There’s even a crossword puzzle to enjoy courtesy of our friends at Super Galactic Games n Comics!

On behalf of the entire Nighthawk News staff,

we would like to thank our readers and advertisers for supporting our publication. We hope you enjoy the third print edition of the 2022-23 school year!

– Editors-in-Chief Emmy Benton, Emma Braithwaite and Olivia Sugg

WE AGREE Good luck Nighthawks!

Photo by Emmy Benton/Nighthawk News

Photo Editor Taylor Newton works in the studio to get shots for the cover.

YOU BELIEVE

Making a difference in the world around you builds a brighter future.

Annie Heath highlights how bikini culture is prominent in a beach community.

Samuel Smith discusses the topic of sexual assault of males.

Kira Walters and Bella Sarbora tackle the tough topic of female safety.

FEATURES

Allie Nigro discusses the plans for a new accessible playground for all.

Daisy Morales shares an educational opportunity through community Spanish classes.

Cameron Piland highlights All-District music students.

OPINIONS

Music

Kate Wasniewski discusses the recent trend of influencer culture.

Bella Sarbora and Kayla Loveless debate which is better, books or movies.

Four Nighthawk News staff members share their opinions on different music platforms.

SPORTS

Mackenzie Edwards discusses safety in sports.

Emma Braithwaite introduces new changes to the beach volleyball club.

Eight athletes sound off in our fun Sports Card Q-and-A session.

Ca ing cal M i ans – Join the O er Banks Co un y Orche ra

Interested in this amateur volunteer ensemble? Scan the QR Code to complete an online form so organizers can prepare for the launch!

Have a dormant musical talent? Want to dust off your clarinet, flute, cello, trumpet or other instrument and see if you can still play it? This may be the right time and place to bring back the music! Dare County Youth Orchestra (DCYO) is excited to sponsor a community orchestra and wants to hear from you! Organizer Leslie Erickson, a teacher in Dare County Schools and founding member of DCYO, encourages anyone with prior experience to feel welcomed into the group. The Outer Banks Community Orchestra will have its first rehearsal on March 27 at 6 p.m. at St. Andrews by the Sea in Nags Head. There are no auditions or fees to participate.

Bikinis, beach life and body image

By Annie Heath Staff Writer

The summer heat blazes on the Outer Banks, but for some, this season means more than fun days at the beach. Along with the heat comes the catcalling. Invasive remarks. The creepy feeling of the eyes of older men scanning over your body, leaving you with the thought that maybe this beach day wasn’t your best idea.

Then there’s the dieting, working out and cutting food. Hiding your body even though you’re sweating in your oversized T-shirt and denim shorts. The need to fit the perfect bikini-body standard.

Girls all over the world experience the harsh reality of feeling judged for their bodies and objectified for their appearance. However, living in a small beach town just amplifies the whispers around sexual harassment and even sexual assault. At the same time, living on the Outer Banks puts pressure on many to work toward an “ideal” body type.

Beach days here in the summer are a constant. But it proves difficult not to let your eyes wander to others’ bodies and see how they compare to yours.

A student, who requested anonymity and will be referred to as Mia to speak candidly about body image issues, expressed having a hard time not comparing herself to others on her beach days.

“I don’t see myself looking like a lot of the girls I see on the beaches most of the time,” Mia said.

Mia described that even hanging out with her friends and people she loves makes her view her body differently. Their frequent working out makes her feel like she needs to push herself even more than she already does.

“I start to think about whether or not I’m doing enough, or the same amount that they are doing, to be able to look the way that they do,” Mia said.

Mia explained that she starts working out in the spring in an attempt to fit the “standard.”

The standard that Instagram sets. That models set. That even your best friend sets when she posts a bikini picture. The perfect bikini-body standard. The expectation that, as a girl in a bathing suit, you must have the body that society adores. That you must be as skinny and shaped as every model, social media influencer and friend who surrounds you.

It’s that expectation that shifts the way Mia views her body as the warmer weather comes around.

Bri Young, owner of the local business Outer Surf, noted how easy it has become through Instagram to be influenced by others about your body.

“I think (it adds) so much more pressure. We constantly have this magazine in our hands at all times where you can see the best sides of people,

the best angles. And you feel insecure, you feel not enough,” Young explained.

Through Outer Surf, Young has worked to create a safe and inclusive surf environment for girls – one she wishes she could have had growing up.

“I remember being a teenage girl: Other girls are not always the nicest and there’s a lot of pressure on you in the society we grow up in to maintain a certain look,” Young said.

Young wants girls to recognize that it is crucial to accept their body and love it for how it is, and to know that their worth is more than skin deep.

“Don’t stress too hard. Don’t think too hard about how you look and don’t place your value on how you look,” Young said. “Because as you grow older, you’ll realize the most important things are what you get joy out of, who you are as a person and your character.”

But the struggles of living on the Outer Banks don’t stop at body image.

Something that’s rarely acknowledged, but ever-so-prevalent in this beach town, is the objectification that happens.

The catcalling that pursues girls as they walk along the beach road. The over-sexualization of guys and girls alike in their swimwear. Things that are waved off as normal – but really aren’t.

“I think down here especially, there’s college guys coming down and they see girls and think they’re a lot older than what they are,” Young said. “And I think young girls feel like they have to just be quiet and accept it. But you don’t. The way older men talk to

you and treat you just because they’re older than you isn’t OK.”

Mia expressed similar thoughts.

“I feel like girls that are between 15 and 17 tend to look older. So people thinking that (the girls) are older might have a play in it,” Mia said. “I feel like people almost consider it human nature to stare at people like that even though it makes girls uncomfortable.”

As the temperature climbs, the clothing options decline. Guys walk through town shirtless and wearing board shorts. Girls throw on a bikini top and a pair of shorts. This is normal on hot OBX summer days. But too often they feel the need to cover their bodies because of the judgmental glance they receive from a friend or family member, or the suggestive comment yelled at them from a van passing by.

But, it’s normal right? Just part of growing up in a beach town?

What about when the unwanted comments escalate to unwanted actions?

According to the National Sexual Violence Research Center, 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police, and eight out of 10 rape cases involved someone the victim knew. Take that information and think about it in a small town. A small town where everyone knows everyone. A small town with a connected and tight community.

A small town that is mostly quiet about sexual violence.

On the Outer Banks, the chance

that a sexual assault is committed by someone the victim knows or is friends with is strong. They could have grown up with that person and built a friendship with them and their friends.

A student who will remain anonymous and be referred to as Emily has been a victim of this herself.

“It’s such a tight-knit community and that can be a good thing in a lot of instances when someone needs support,” she said. “But the tight-knit community can also mean that people don’t see the problem with mistreating people close to them.”

Since everyone is close in this town, and friend groups are huge, she often felt like she couldn’t reach out because of the backlash and disbelief she would get, even to this day.

“If you say that someone did something to you, (that person) will always have people to back them up and say that they didn’t – no matter the situation, no matter proof, evidence, anything. No matter the emotional damages, people will always take sides,” Emily said. “These are people you grew up with. These are people you’ve known your whole life. And it just feels like there’s no outlet, there’s nothing you can do.”

She noted that growing up in this small town enables you to become significantly close with someone, along with their friends and family. You grow close to them, and they can grow to feel entitled to your body.

Emily said that the Outer Banks isn’t underrepresented when it comes to sexual assault – the crimes just point-blank aren’t talked about because the victims can feel trapped. What is there to do if whoever will listen also happens to be friends with that person, and refuses to believe that they would cross those boundaries? If the person who took advantage of you has a support system, including some of the people you know, to fall back on?

It pushes the victim into silence, as it did for Emily. Suppressing their emotions, self-hate and guilt. A common theme among those struggling with body image, objectification and becoming victims of sexual assault. And not only girls become victims of these haunting subjects.

These issues become pushed away because it happens so often in the Outer Banks summer. Quieted sometimes simply because of this close community we thrive in. But no matter how often the catcalls, stares and unwanted advances come each summer, it’s important to remember that these issues should never be accepted as normal.

“You’re not an object. You’re not just this shiny, pretty thing,” Young said. “You are a human with feelings and ambitions. Your worth is more than just how you look.”

Junior Annie Heath can be reached at 24heathan45@daretolearn.org.

Reporting and Graphic by Olivia Sugg/Nighthawk News Above are a variety of anonymous quotes collected from 11 students at FFHS who suffer from eating disorders. These quotes show the challenges students face on a daily basis.

Eating disorders plague Dare County, but resources are lacking

By Olivia Sugg Editor-in-Chief

Going to Barefoot Bernie’s with your friends after a long day at the beach should be a fun outing, but when you are sitting in that booth checking out the expansive menu, suddenly this does not seem nearly as enticing. Out of the 50 items on the menu, only two are considered your “safe foods.” After a closer look at the ingredients, that list goes to zero because the chicken salad comes with bacon, and the pasta is made with an unfamiliar cheese sauce.

Now what? Pretend you’re not hungry? Order something you don’t really want and push it around your plate, hoping no one notices you haven’t eaten a bite?

More people struggle with issues like this than one might think, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD). The group states that at least 9% of the U.S. population will struggle with an eating disorder in their lifetime.

That national average means that at least 90 people will struggle with an eating disorder among the FFHS population, not even considering the fact that living in a beach town can amplify the number of body image issues.

Areas like Dare County are no less affected by eating disorders than metropolitan areas such as Raleigh or Durham, yet the community lacks the resources to educate and treat people about these disorders.

Veritas Collaborative is just one of the eating disorder treatment facilities in the Triangle focused on educating the public on the issue of eating disorders and, as the closest treatment facility to Dare County, is also where Surf Pediatrics refers patients needing further care.

“Eating disorder education needs to come first,” said Marlo Sell, Patient Navigation Manager at Veritas Collaborative. “People don’t know that the need is there because a lot of people don’t understand eating disorders and how many people struggle. There just needs to be more education and more discussion around eating disorders so that everyone’s on the same page, and we can actually see the need for more treatment facilities.”

When someone says “eat-

ing disorder,” the issues most people think of are those of anorexia and bulimia nervosa. ANAD defines anorexia as “a serious mental illness characterized by an obsession with weight, food and calories. People struggling with anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight leading to a restriction of food intake.”

Bulimia involves binge eating and then attempts to counteract the binge eating “through fasting, self-induced vomiting, excessive exercise, or use of laxatives, diuretics or other medications.”

Less attention, however, is given to other eating disorders such as binge eating disorder, described as eating large amounts of food in one sitting, often followed by intense feelings of loss of control. Another lesser known disorder, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), was recently added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013. It is characterized by one having a limited list of safe foods and “extreme picky eating” that is not controllable and is caused by a psychological fear of foods.

So little attention is given to these less common disorders that those suffering may not even realize it, making education about them all the more important.

“Sometimes people don’t really feel that they need assistance or they’re not recognizing that they need help,” FFHS nurse Robin Dozier said. “So that’s why they’re not coming to me. That’s the struggle.”

As someone who works for the Dare County Department of Health and Human Services specifically assigned to serve FFHS students, Dozier serves as a valuable resource who can connect students with community services to aid in recovery.

“My role here is as a support system,” Dozier said. “The health department does have some nutritional counseling, but I’m sort of a support mechanism. I work really closely with the counseling department, so everything’s funneled through one channel.”

A student suffering from an eating disorder requires treatment, yet living somewhere like Dare County makes finding that treatment extremely difficult.

“There are several counseling centers here and some really specialize in eating disorders,” Dozier said. “But

Let’s Talk About Eating Disorders

The way we talk about eating disorders matters. Here are some facts you can use to help shape the conversation around eating disorders.

“Eating disorders are medical illnesses.”

Genetic and environmental factors can influence eating disorders. An eating disorder is not a trend or a choice.

“Eating disorders are serious and can be fatal.”

Eating disorders often involve serious medical complications that can cause permanent damage or death. People with eating disorders also have an increased risk of dying by suicide.

“Eating disorders can affect anyone.”

Eating disorders do not discriminate. They affect people of all ages, races and ethnicities, and genders.

“You can’t tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them.”

People with eating disorders can be underweight, normal weight, or overweight.

“Family members can be a patient’s best ally in treatment.”

Eating disorders are caused by a combination of genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors. Family members do not cause eating disorders and can be great sources of support.

“It is possible to recover from an eating disorder.”

Complete recovery is possible with treatment and time.

obviously, we are a remote area, and there’s no full-time treatment facility. If you need hospitalization to that level, you need to leave the area.”

Dozier described eating disorder treatment as coming in two parts: mental recovery and physical recovery. Dare County is lucky to have great counseling services to aid in the mental recovery aspect, but getting an appointment can be difficult due to high demand and, in many cases, this counseling only aids in half of the recovery process.

“Eating disorders can be medical, like losing weight, or vomiting profusely, that can cause all kinds of medical issues,” Dozier said.

Getting inpatient specialized care from an eating disorder facility is a wonderful course of action, but going hours away to seek treatment at a place like Veritas Collaborative is not possible for many Dare County residents. Many high school students are extremely high functioning,

nimh.nih.gov/eatingdisorders

and taking a break from their busy high school schedule to seek inpatient treatment four hours away is not a good option. Some students want to reach recovery, but decide not to take that step because they do not want to leave behind everything they have been working toward at home.

“We definitely work with their schools very closely so that they can stay on track, but treatment comes first,” Sell said. “Essentially, school work is secondary (while in treatment), but we definitely do everything that we can on our end.”

Facilities have outpatient programs so students can continue day-to-day activities such as extracurricular activities, all while keeping up their GPA. However, for Dare County residents, that still means a four-hour drive combined with countless weeks in a hotel often not covered by insurance when in-person counseling sessions are needed.

It is not that the commu-

nity does not have resources, just that these resources are often not enough to cover the intense treatment needed.

“This is not just specific to eating disorders,” Dozier said. “We live on a barrier island. There are resources here for emotional support, but if patients are at the point of medical fragility we have to transfer them to another place.”

Traveling for treatment might not be ideal, but everyone at treatment facilities has the same goal: aiding in recovery.

“There’s always going to be barriers to treatment for people,” Sell said. “But we try to work with the families as much as we can to overcome those barriers so that everyone can get treatment. We try to decrease the burden on them because it is overwhelming. It is a lot to go through, so we try to do what we can do on our end.”

Senior Olivia Sugg can be reached at 23suggol52@daretolearn.org.

The scary truth: Sexual assault in Dare County

By Emmy Benton Editor-in-Chief

Afamily friend. A grocery store worker. A prominent community member. Anyone can be affected by sexual assault, either knowing someone who has experienced it or having gone through it themselves – no matter their background or influence.

The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, or RAINN, operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and defines sexual assault as “sexual contact or behavior that occurs without explicit consent of the victim.”

This can be anything from unwanted touching on one end of the spectrum to rape on the other, but the constant is that the victim never agrees to such advances.

Any gender can be affected by sexual assault, but an overwhelming number of the victims are females. According to RAINN, 82% of all juvenile victims of rape are female and 90% of adult rape victims are female.

Employees at Outer Banks Hotline, a local crisis intervention and prevention center, know all too well the impacts of sexual assault in this community. For many, this comes from personal experience.

Tammie Perry, the Safe House Manager for Hotline, was sexually assaulted by a stranger more than two decades ago, something she continues to work through even today.

“As a survivor, I still, 20 years after the incident, have debilitating PTSD bouts,” Perry said. “I did not have a Hotline to call. I had no support.”

According to RAINN, 94% of women who have been sexually assaulted experience symptoms of Post-traumatic stress disorder during the first two weeks after the incident. Thirty percent of women report PTSD symptoms nine months after.

For others, the impact of the trauma presents itself in the form of substance use and abuse.

RAINN’s website says victims of sexual assault are 3.4 times more likely to use marijuana, six times more likely to use cocaine and 10 times more likely to use other major drugs.

For the Outer Banks, these numbers may be even higher because of the ever-present drug crisis affecting our area.

Jackie Kiene, an investigator

with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, has seen that drugs play a role in the aftermath of sexual assault cases.

“I think drugs become a Band-Aid after,” Kiene said. “People are being sexually assaulted and then to ease the pain or the trauma, they turn to drugs.”

The impacts of sexual assault run deep and are far-reaching, something Hotline works every day to soothe.

Stephanie Baker, the Associate Director of Outer Banks Hotline, says no one is immune to sexual violence – a harsh reality that more awareness needs to be brought to.

“It’s not one set group of people,” Baker said. “This happens to anybody, regardless of race, status, gender, it doesn’t make any difference.”

According to Hotline’s website, someone is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds in

the United States. Even scarier, one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually assaulted before the time they turn 18.

Baker believes that the topic of sexual assault should always be talked about, but particularly around prom season and summer. She wants teens to be especially cognizant of the relations they have because of the impact it can have on them in their formative years.

“You need to be aware that it’s your body and your decision, nobody else’s body and nobody else’s decision,” Baker said. “Your body is your temple and you need to honor it by making good decisions and creating boundaries. We need to do more to educate everyone that ‘no means no.’ ”

Hotline’s website says that approximately seven in 10 sexual assault instances are committed by someone the victim knows, which is all the

can take many forms, such as labor trafficking, domestic servitude and sex trafficking. North Carolina is currently ninth in the country for human trafficking and is consistently in the top 10 states where human trafficking occurs.

Hotline partners with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office to tackle the issue of human trafficking and sex trafficking in Dare County. The group was recently one of only 15 task forces in the country to be awarded the Joint Human Trafficking Task Force Grant from the Office of Victims of Crime.

Kiene said the money will go straight into the community to help combat human trafficking, hopefully bringing awareness to an all-too-often neglected topic.

“We’ll use the grant to bring community awareness, training to law enforcement, community partners, and hopefully get into the schools for training,” Kiene said. “I think we focus a lot on drugs and drinking and driving, especially around prom, but we don’t really talk about the vulnerabilities of sexual assault and the resources that are there, and the lack of resources that we have.”

Perry echoed similar sentiments, but also believes that the OBX tourism industry plays a part in why sexual assault isn’t discussed more openly.

more prevalent with teens.

“It can be people you trust, people who you hang out with, people who will be your friend,” Baker said. “More times than not, it is someone you know.”

Baker said that having clear boundaries can play a major role in preventing sexual assault from happening, and having conversations about the topic is helping to ease the stigma that is attached to survivors of sexual assault.

“A lot of people who work here (at Hotline) have mission connections and a lot of people aren’t afraid to speak out about it,” Baker said. “It’s just having that conversation, because if you don’t, it’s like, ‘Oh, it’s way over there,’ but it’s not – it’s in the room, it’s right next door, it’s sitting next to you.”

Along with sexual assault and domestic violence, Hotline also deals with human trafficking cases. Human trafficking

“There’s always been a stigma with sexual assault,” Perry said. “I don’t think Dare County pays enough attention to it. They’re primarily focused on tourism, and maybe they think that if things like that get out, tourists wouldn’t come. But things happen everywhere. Dare County is not an exception.”

According to RAINN, out of 1,000 sexual assault cases, 975 perpetrators walk free. Many victims don’t come forward because of the trauma it caused, the fact that the perpetrator was someone the victim knew, or simply out of fear of not being believed, just to name a few.

Because of this, Kiene said it’s extremely important for victims to come forward on their own terms and use their voice to fight for themselves.

“Be your own advocate,” Kiene said. “Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. You know your truth and you know what happened to you.”

Senior Emmy Benton can be reached at 23bentonem58@ daretolearn.org.

‘Promoting a safe and compassionate community’ for all

By Emmy Benton Editor-in-Chief

The phone rang for the first time in 1980. But these weren’t regular phone calls. These were some of the most difficult calls people ever had to make.

Outer Banks Hotline was founded in 1980 by Beth Story, a 20-something living on the Outer Banks who realized the need for a hotline to help people struggling with sexual violence. As time passed, it was clear that something more was needed, prompting the opening of Hotline’s building in 1996.

Hotline offers walk-in services, as well as a 24/7 crisis line, with a trained professional on call at all times.

Tammie Perry, Hotline’s Safe House Manager, is one of these professionals.

“We give them safety, support, therapy, support groups and resources they may not know are available to them,” Perry said. “We are available to them 24/7 so they don’t have to walk through their crisis alone.”

Perry’s personal experience with domestic violence, as well as sexual assault by a stranger nearly 20 years ago, makes the work she does at Hotline all the more meaningful.

“I was just leaving an abusive husband. I was a wreck,” Perry said. “I walked through that alone. Our volunteers and staff are all trained in crisis intervention and how to offer support based on each person’s individual needs. Hotline goes far beyond that initial crisis call in support of each survivor that reaches out to us.”

Since July 2022, Hotline has received 383 calls on the crisis line, housed 22 clients in its safe house and spoken with an additional 58 clients in its office, which amounted to 113 actual visits. Since January 2019, Hotline has provided human trafficking victim services to 20 individuals who had been sex trafficked.

Every client who contacts Hotline for support receives their own personalized plan of action for their specific needs. Hotline offers case management services, legal assistance and access to other resources around the community, as well as support groups and a safe place for survivors.

Paige Mullen, a client advocate for Hotline, has experience in virtually every service that Hotline provides. Her main role is meeting with clients in need, but she also leads Hotline’s Sexual Assault Response Team, or SART for short.

The role of SART is to sit with sexual assault victims at the hospital while they undergo exams or questioning. Simply being there for the clients directly relates to Hotline’s mission statement: “Promoting a safe and compassionate community.”

“We provide comfort and resources for them while we’re there and we do follow-ups after it’s over with to make sure they’re OK,” Mullen said. “We do

follow-ups with a lot of our clients, whether it be domestic violence or sexual assault. We try to have resources and information for them, encourage them to go to social services if they need to, and reach out to other community organizations.”

Mullen also heads a domestic violence support group that meets every Wednesday at Hotline’s building in Nags Head. There, survivors speak with other individuals who have been through similar situations, in a safe environment with Hotline employees leading the discussion.

“It’s important for the community to have that support group for people to be able to come and talk about it,” Mullen said. “It’s an open forum group, so it’s less formal. A lot of times, having that open forum gives information to other people who may be going through the same thing.”

Employees at Hotline are required to go through 20 hours of training every year to ensure they understand their clients, but also attend workshops and take classes to obtain additional certifications.

In addition to sexual assault and domestic violence support and services, Outer Banks Hotline and the Dare County Sheriff’s Office have partnered to lead a Joint Human Trafficking Task Force that will be based out of Dare County but will serve surrounding counties across northeastern North Carolina.

The task force was one of 15 groups in the country to be awarded a grant through the Office of Victim Crime that will go toward fighting the problem of human and sex trafficking in the area.

“If the need wasn’t here in our area, we wouldn’t have gotten it,” Outer Banks Hotline Associate Director Stephanie Baker said. “Since I came to Hotline in October, there have been two human trafficking cases that we have dealt with here at Hotline. One male and one female, and they were both sex trafficked.”

Hotline not only provides sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking services, but empathy and a safe place for people in these tough situations to come to. Hotline’s safe house

is a place for people who are in immediate danger and need to leave the situation they’re in. Employees at the safe house offer compassion and guidance on next steps for victims, whether that be seeking counseling, applying for jobs or simply getting back on their feet.

“We get people that are coming from domestic violence and sexual assault situations, but they’re here because they have nowhere else to go,” said Dennie Williams, a Client Advocate at the safe house. “That’s where I see that anybody can be in that posi-

tion and anybody can end up here.”

The eight-bedroom safe house is complete with a common living space, kitchen, full pantry and supplies for whatever their clients may need. In addition to the safe house, Hotline also has an apartment for clients who are ready to be on their own but may have trouble finding housing.

“It’s a great thing, especially here in Dare County where there aren’t many resources, so the fact that we get to do that is really good,” Williams said. “You see that someone really is trying and they have finally decided they’re not going back, they just need help.”

The employees at Hotline help anyone who calls the crisis line or walks through the door because they know the magnitude of these situations.

“We give our clients somewhere to feel safe, someone to talk to, someone to give them the resources and advice they need,” Perry said. “I know that the clients we help are very grateful. They just need somebody they can reach out to when they feel like everybody else is failing them.”

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the Outer Banks Crisis Hotline at 252-473-3366 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.

Senior Emmy Benton can be reached at 23bentonem58@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Stephanie Baker/Special to Nighthawk News

The sign for Outer Banks Hotline stands outside its building in Nags Head. Hotline has been a resource for residents and tourists alike since its inception in 1980.

Athletes fight battles off the court, too

By Foster Guns Staff Writer

You get to dance class 10 minutes early to stretch and warm up. Intricately lacing up your pointe shoes, slicking down your bun one more time then flattening your skirt, dreading what is coming next. Being called into the studio to start barre, you all line up as you tower over the prima ballerinas in your class. All it takes is one turn to the side and a quick look in the mirror to be reminded that your leotard is the only one that doesn’t sit flat on your stomach.

The reaffirmation that you are different is one that many athletes have heard, whether it be from teammates, coaches or audiences. Senior Charlie Ernst is a plus-sized dancer who has found a home in their new studio, but the memories of their old studio are still fresh in their mind.

“I had just started dancing for the first time ever. This new girl came in every single day and would make comments on how I looked,” Ernst said. “She would say, ‘You’ll never be a real dancer. You’ll never be able to do this. You don’t look like us. You’re not one of us.’ ”

Dancers are some of the most common athletes to experience body image struggles. Between competitions and recitals, it’s easy to compare yourself to others.

A dysmorphic view of your body –being concerned that you have flaws, real or imagined, in your appearance –isn’t just a byproduct of hurtful words, but is an integral part of some sports. Senior Reagan Riddick is the only girl on the First Flight wrestling team, affecting her in ways different from her

other teammates.

“In wrestling, you have to cut a lot of weight, whether it be water weight or food weight, so you can wrestle in a lower class to be the biggest and strongest,” Riddick said. “For me, cutting weight makes me look at my body differently because you can see the weight come off, making me not really want to even look at myself sometimes.”

Not only do wrestlers have to watch their weight to stay in specific classes, but they also must worry about gaining muscle mass – and weight – so they can be as strong as possible to have an advantage on the mat.

Pre-Order your copy of the 2023 Shorelines at YearbookOrderCenter.com or stop by the yearbook room. Books are just $50 this school year!

Don’t miss out on 232 pages of memories! Books will be delivered in late May so students have time to enjoy them before school’s out.

Weight fluctuations that happen day to day and week to week can be enough to shake anyone, especially those who face negative perceptions from others based on how they look in a singlet or a uniform, or even the way they move in that uniform.

A varsity cheerleader, speaking anonymously to offer candid opinions about her experience, shared feelings of being in a sort of fishbowl of imperfection.

“I’d like to think there is no weight limit on beauty, but my thighs and stomach say otherwise,” she said. “Cheer is an amazing sport, but at what point will my looks stop defining me?”

The common denominator between all these situations is the viewer – those who are passing judgment, whether it’s a huge crowd at a sporting event or someone with a mean-girl mindset in a small dance class. However, for sophomore Sadie Wilkinson, the shaming and hurtfulness came from behind the closed doors of a gymnastics gym.

Wilkinson started gymnastics and immediately fell in love with it. The bars, the beam and everything in between were her forte, until her coaches began to show their true colors.

“They would come up to you if you were in a split and put their entire adult body weight on you, punch you in the stomach or slap you in the butt to tighten your muscles,” Wilkinson said. “They were just physically aggressive, then they began to add body image into the mix – it just didn’t work out very well.”

As a kid, you’re naturally carefree with wide eyes to the world, but as an 8-year-old, Wilkinson being told to “suck in” before presenting herself to a panel of judges dimmed the glimmer of childhood in her eye, setting her up for a career-long challenge.

Dysmorphic mindsets may start in some sports from a young age, but they do not just fade off with time. A study conducted by the Sports Journal stated that 49.2% of Division I and 40.4% of Division III female athletes were in sub-clinical eating disorder range, a common byproduct of body dysmorphic disorder.

Body image struggles can affect anyone, regardless of age. Young athletes and professionals alike should be aware of the issue.

“What happened to me was not OK, but it’s something that parents and coaches need to see the change in,” Wilkinson said. “But I think it’s a big part of being an athlete to take these experiences and use them to make you better.”

Junior Foster Guns can be reached at 24gunsfo54@daretolearn.org.

Graduation season is nearly here!

Photo by Foster Guns/Nighthawk News

A Nighthawk cheerleader looks in the locker room mirror, inspecting her stomach in her uniform. Many athletes experience struggles with body image. If you or a loved one are experiencing body dysmorphic disorder and need resources, call or text the National Women’s Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662.

Criticisms of being too heavy, too tall, too curvy lead to body image issues

Parents of seniors, the PTO will be taking orders for banners and yard signs beginning in April. More info coming soon!

A growing plague on the US, regardless of gender

By Samuel Smith Opinions Editor

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of every four girls below the age of 18 have experienced child sexual abuse. Also from the CDC, one out of every 13 boys below the age of 18 have experienced child sexual abuse.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), one out of six American women, as well as one out of 33 American men, have experienced an attempted or completed rape over the course of their life.

According to United States Census Bureau data, there were 167.51 million women and 164.38 million men in the United States as of 2021. Put those numbers together and it paints a grim picture:

One out of every six women equals 27.92 million women.

One out of every 33 men equals 4.98 million men.

Sexual assault is an ever-growing, ever-present occurrence in the United States, with the rate of sexual assault-related ER visits alone increasing by 1500% from 2006 to 2022.

Rape is a traumatizing and violent act, leaving victims in its wake who are forced to cope with the ramifications of their free will being stolen from them. Regardless of sex, gender, race or creed, sexual assault is on the rise and the world at large has tried to extrapolate the cause of such an increase.

Following a survey on sexual assault within the United States, the U.S. Department of Justice outlined in a journal publication titled “What’s Behind the Dramatic Rise in Rapes?” a range of theories.

The publication’s abstract directly references multiple possible causes for the increase, ranging from an increased presence of sexual and violent content within mass media to cycles of abuse perpetuating violent behavior as well as a statistical increase in drug abuse within the United States.

Regardless of the factors contributing to the increase, sexual assault is impacting a large portion of all communities worldwide.

While women are disproportionately affected by sexual assault, the taboo nature of recognizing that men also can be sexual assault victims has led to many male victims of sexual violence staying silent. According to RAINN, roughly 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported, leaving the remaining assaults outside the reach of the law or researchers who publish statistics in the hopes that it will inform the populace.

A large factor in the unreported nature of assaults, specifically when dealing with male victims, is the abundantly common belief that women are the only victims of sexual assault. The proclivity of men to keep the details of an assault to themselves has been used by many psychologists to attempt to account for a likewise troubling statistic related to male suicide: According to the CDC, suicide deaths were experienced by men 3.88 times more than women in 2020.

Taboos involving men for decades have revolved around emotion, or more aptly the lack thereof, and have left modern adult males bereft of the willingness to receive help in the face of trauma.

Sexual assault is a traumatizing event in anybody’s life, regardless of whether they are a man or a woman, and awareness is slowly growing that anybody who has been sexually assaulted should be

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), 43% of men in the United States reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.

afforded the same respect and support from those around them.

If you or a loved one have been sexually assaulted or experienced some form of sexual abuse and are in need of support, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-656-4673.

If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideation, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is open 24/7 at 988.

Senior Samuel Smith can be reached at 23smithsa22@daretolearn.org.

Illustration by Kayla Loveless/Nighthawk News

T pics of Women getting the talk: More than just the birds and the bees

By Bella Sarbora and Kira Walters Staff Writer and News Editor

Every girl remembers sitting down with her mom, talking about her period and getting the classic “talk.” But the one that is not such a big part of pop culture is the additional warning about sexual assault, and what it means to be a woman in today’s world.

For centuries, women have been wary of men, and for good reason. Sexual assault and harassment is a wide-spread issue across the world. While men without a doubt experience sexual assault and harassment as well, women are much more prone to these violent acts. The CDC says 90% of reported rape victims are female.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center website, 81% of women have reported some form of sexual harassment/assault. One in five women in the United States have experienced completed or attempted rape and one in three of those women were assaulted between the ages of 11 and 17. These are just out of reported cases, and most incidents go unreported.

Even with all the data and statistics and stories validating our fears, women are still told, “Not all men…” However, it is almost every woman experiencing this trauma.

There are so many things that women see as common sense, or were told from a young age. Don’t wear revealing clothing. Don’t get gas at night. Don’t walk around alone. Have your location shared with someone you trust. Be hyper-aware if anyone is following you. Carry some sort of self-defense tool. Don’t use substances around men you don’t know or trust. The list goes on and on.

Why are women vigilant 24/7? Because if they’re not, they might pay the price. One FFHS student shared her experience with substance use and sexual assault.

“He picked me up and took me to a cul-de-sac and we got really high. I didn’t feel good and I told him I didn’t feel good,” she explained. “He laid me down in the back seat of his car and I kept telling him I didn’t feel good and he was getting really annoyed with me. He pushed me up against the door and I told him I really didn’t want to do this and he said ‘You’re fine.’ ”

She thinks back on the experience in horror and disgust, wondering what she could’ve done differently, but she had no way out.

“I pulled out my phone to call someone and he took my phone away and hid it and I just kind of froze and sat there while he got on top of me and started touching me,” she said. “I didn’t say anything, I didn’t do anything. He was kissing me and I wasn’t kissing him back. I wasn’t moving and it didn’t last that long, but it was pretty rough.”

Some may view this encounter as an outlier, an anomaly. The fact of the matter is that a majority of women have experienced something similar. And all too often, as a society, we have accepted it. Victims are asked what they were wearing, or if they led them on, or if what happened was really that big a deal. Victim blaming and making light of the situation

only deepens the wounds.

“I think about it every day. Everything reminds me of it. People make jokes and say things about it and they don’t really realize how it affects people who have gone through that,” she said. “I think it’s really detrimental to your mental health and I have been going to special therapy for it, but it consumes me.”

Rape and sexual assault jokes are popular today, especially among teenagers, thanks in large part to the rise of social media. Scroll through the comment section of a girl’s TikTok and you’ll read “she said no but I heard yes”, “I can tell she would want it”, or “she’s begging for it.” When a victim of sexual assault hears this, they feel disgusted. Not only with the person who made the joke, or their assaulter, but with themselves.

The reality is, this problem may never be completely fixed. Wearing less revealing clothes or carrying weapons will not stop the epidemic. All we can do is raise awareness. People, especially young boys, need to be taught that when a woman is reluctant, or hesitant, or unable to give a clear and sober “yes” then the answer is no, and that is the end of the discussion.

It’s worth adding as well that there doesn’t have to be a sexual encounter for a woman to feel unsafe. Many of our female Nighthawk News staff members have had eerie interactions with men. One was told “the holes in her jeans were sexy.” Another was called “a doll” by an older man while pumping gas. These women were not asking for it or provoking anybody. They were minding their own business and men took it upon themselves to make them feel uncomfortable.

Another First Flight High School student consistently feels threatened at her job, even when nothing comes of it.

“There have been many weird interactions that

would not have happened if I were with a man or were a man myself,” she said. “One recent instance sticks out: I was at the front hostess stand selling this middle-aged man a T-shirt. I handed him the receipt and told him to have a good day, and suddenly he grabbed my hand.”

She tried to tug her hand back, gradually pulling harder and harder and asking the man to let go.

“He acted like he didn’t hear me, and then suddenly it was like he snapped out of it. He let go and told me he was just admiring my rings,” she said.

The mere fact that this student was scared and expecting something bad to happen is evidence enough of where we are as a society. Is there hope, however, that things may change as time goes on? Since the start of the #MeToo movement in 2017, more women and men are coming forward and sharing their stories, erasing some of the stigma around abuse. There are ways we can keep ourselves and our friends safe with new apps such as Life360. Every college campus tour points out the blue light markers that help students reach out to police if they feel threatened.

But there are two sides to every coin. That same technology that allows us to make sure our friends get home safely can be used to track domestic abuse victims. Social media offers an extra unmonitored platform for harassment to take place.

The only way to counteract sexual violence is to instill in today’s youth the importance of consent, respect and – honestly speaking – how to just not be a creep. Listen to your friends when they confide in you, and if you are the person looking for someone to talk to, know there are people and resources available to help.

Senior Bella Sarbora can be reached at 23sarborais62@daretolearn.org.

Junior Kira Walters can be reached at 24walterski77@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Olivia Sugg/Nighthawk News Senior girls hold up their safety devices, such as alarms and pepper spray, that they have on their keys. Having a personal safety device on a women’s keychain or in a bag is becoming more common as female safety concerns grow.

ur Time

Dystopian novel or reality? The line blurs on banning books

If you looked me in the eye and told me with a straight face that I couldn’t do something, what do you think I would do? The exact opposite, that’s what.

When I found out that a police union in South Carolina wanted to ban “The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas, the first thing I did was search for it on Google. Banning books does not have the effect people hope for it to have. If anything, it gives more exposure to the books and the themes that the people asking for bans find controversial or uncomfortable.

Banning books – the act of regulating certain books in schools because of their content – happens all over the country, and is not a new phenomenon. While parents, community members and others cite various reasons for wanting to ban certain books, a majority of the titles currently being challenged are about LGBTQ+ characters or characters of color.

According to PEN America, the most banned book in the United States in 2022 was “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe.

PEN America annually creates a list of banned books. On its website, the organization states that it “stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world.”

But if we’re looking a bit more locally, “Out of Darkness” by Ashley Hope Perez is a book that was released in 2015 about a love affair between two teenage characters of color in 1930’s Texas. Since its publication , the book has faced challenges across the country. It was challenged here several years ago and FFHS Principal Chuck Lansing and then-Media Coordinator Susan Sawin refused to ban it.

The issue surfaced recently with a local media report that the book had in fact been banned in a move approved by former Superintendent John Farrelly. That, however, is not the case. Lansing explained that the book is currently available in the library, but has never been checked out by students.

While Farrelly is no longer the superintendent, there are concerns that this kind of censorship could be in Dare County to stay. In November 2022, three new BOE candidates were elected, making the current Board wholly comprised of Republican members. Among these new members is Barry Wickre, who has made his thoughts about “inappropriate” books crystal clear.

“Over the past year, I have been

reviewing the library books listed on Follett,” Wickre told the Outer Banks Voice in a candidate forum before the election. “I believe we have had and still do have books that are inappropriate.”

I would like to believe that a majority of FFHS students are mature enough to read a book about the struggles of people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community and take it seriously. Banning a book that one in 300 students will read is not the most prevalent issue in our school system today.

Nationally, over 1,600 books were banned in the 2021-2022 school year. Of the top 10 books banned that year, five contained LGBTQ+ material. They were challenged for being “sexually explicit.”

It’s no surprise to me that a greater number of the books being banned are more modern and are being challenged because they contain information about issues of race relations or the lives and struggles of people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

But modern books aren’t the only ones being censored. According to the American Library Association’s

website, titles that are considered to be “classics” like Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” or Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” are also falling victim to book bans. Critics have said “Mockingbird” should be banned due to racial slurs and references to sexual assault. Atwood’s story was banned from Texas schools for a handful of reasons, including profanity, being anti-Christian, featuring an LGBTQ+ protagonist and being overall “morally corrupt.”

When school board officials around the country allow their religious views to affect how they make decisions, it seems that the democratic ideal of the separation of Church and State is becoming more and more blurred. Allowing these elected officials to regulate what a student can read, especially for religious reasons, is something that feels very dystopian.

High school students are expected to be prepared for the rest of their lives by the time they are 18 years old. Preparing students for the future will always be more crucial than worrying over the media they consume in the present.

Junior Kayla Loveless can be reached at 24lovelesska73@daretolearn.org.

American Library Association

Above: The top-five banned books in the US from 2021. Bottom left: A pie chart demonstrating who initiates book challenges in the United States by percentage. Bottom right: A graphic demonstrating where book challenges take place in the United States by percentage.

Kitty Hawk dreams of a playground for everyone

By Allie Nigro Online Editor-in-Chief

Many children consider recess to be the best part of their school day. Playing tag with your friends, going down the slide and learning how to swing on the monkey bars for the first time are all vivid memories many students possess.

Though for two little girls, playing together on the playground during recess presented a daily challenge.

Nine-year-old Nola Flock has Cerebral Palsy, which makes moving very difficult. She now uses a walker to get around, but when going to kindergarten, she needed a wheelchair. The mulch and uneven surfaces on the Kitty Hawk Elementary School playground meant she had to sit in one spot and watch other kids play during recess.

Nola wasn’t the only one disappointed about her inability to play with other kids on the playground. Her classmate, Penny Krieg, soon realized there was a problem, too.

“Penny was disappointed that she couldn’t play with Nola because the wood chips would prohibit Nola from being able to bring her wheelchair or walker out to the playground,” said Penny’s mom, Audra Krieg. “The only place that Penny could find to be with Nola was a shade structure that sat on the back corner of the playground.”

It’s no secret that the world is designed for able-bodied people, and if you intentionally look around, it’s not

hard to see how inaccessible things are for a person who uses a wheelchair or walker.

“As adults we can brainstorm ways around these challenges, but as a child on a playground it is more black and white – they simply cannot play with their friends,” said Nola’s mom, Kellie Flock.

Both Flock and Kreig worked closely with the administrators at Kitty Hawk Elementary to figure out what kind of playground could be built that would be both exciting and accessible, and before long, the KHES Playground Project was born.

“Our vision is to provide a place where individuals from our school and community can play without having to worry about physical barriers,” Principal Lisa Colvin said. “This playground plan includes surfacing so all children can play together, and a layout and ramped equipment that encourages children and adults to play together even if their physical or cognitive abilities differ.”

The surfacing of the playground was something that they thought long and hard about. In the end, shifting from inexpensive mulch to the smooth, rubbery material installed at some other parks people have visited won out.

“It is one of the most expensive parts of the project, but absolutely integral to making our playground accessible and inclusive,” Flock said.

A committee to lead the project started the task of raising funds and spreading awareness with messages

to the Dare County Schools Board of Education and others in the community. The website KHESPlayground.com showcases the project – and it’s price tag of between $600,000 and $800,000.

So far, DCS has awarded $90,000 to the project and a Walmart community grant added a nice boost: “They gave our school $30,000 towards our vision of inclusivity and children of different abilities being able to communicate and play together,” Colvin said.

“Our first hurdle is raising enough money to start phase 1 of the project,” Flock explained. “That’s a little over $200,000. But ultimately we want to raise enough to complete all parts of the project as soon as possible.”

The committee is currently raising funds through grants and donations, which can be made at the playground website.

“We plan to start reaching out to local businesses and organizations to gauge their interest and hope to find that many in the community will support the project,” Flock said. “Further on, we may try to organize fundraising events to raise more interest.”

As far as Flock, Krieg and others are concerned, the project is worth the price tag, not only so Nola can play with her friends, but allow a wide variety of kids and adults who are able-bodied, mobility challenged and even those with sensory struggles such as autism to have a space to enjoy.

“I think the main reason people should donate is because everyone can benefit from this project,” Flock said.

“While the playground is located at KHES and during school hours will be restricted to their students, the idea is that after school, on weekends, holidays and over the summer this will be a community playground.”

Krieg echoed similar thoughts.

“I don’t think of this playground as something for the children with disabilities, I think of this as a playground for all of the children to be able to play together,” Krieg said. “When we take away the limitations of a playground, we open up our children to understand their peers in so many more ways.”

This project is extremely important to Flock. Raising a child with special needs has forever changed her and how she views life.

“I would encourage people in our community to think about what their daily lives or the lives of their children would be like if they could not walk,” Flock said. “Look at your surroundings and see where we can make things more inclusive.”

Furthermore, Flock stressed that anyone can start a project like this.

“Anyone can do a project like this, and they should,” Flock said. “You just have to want to make a difference and then take the initiative to do it. Yes, it is an enormous amount of work and can be overwhelming and frustrating to tackle. However, it pales in comparison to the challenge of raising a child with mobility issues in a world that is so inaccessible.”

Senior Allie Nigro can be reached at 23nigroal20@daretolearn.org.

Friends Nola Flock (left) and Penny Krieg smile in front of the Kitty Hawk Elementary School playground. The KHES Playground Project hopes to lead to more inclusive fun, with fundraising efforts underway for a new facility.

Submitted Photo

Autism Awareness Month helps break misconceptions

By Ella Ogburn Staff Writer

According to Oxford Languages, autism is defined as “a neurodevelopmental condition of variable severity with lifelong effects that can be recognized from early childhood, chiefly characterized by difficulties with social interaction and communication and by restricted or repetitive patterns of thought and behavior.”

That is a complicated definition to understand, and it’s also important to note that autism varies from person to person. That’s why every April is marked as Autism Awareness Month. Autism Awareness Month gives autistic people outreach and resources to support their autistic peers and provides opportunities for everyone to understand the autism community.

Being autistic comes with many people making assumptions, oftentimes about emotions and empathy. People with autism frequently face the misconception that they don’t have feelings or have a lack of empathy.

Autism can heighten sensory awareness and repetitive behaviors, while also being the root of difficulty with social awareness and communication. Misguided peers may mistake these traits as not having the ability to form connections or meaningful relationships with others.

Another widespread misconception is that autism is a mental health condition when it is actually a neurological disorder. While many people might see the need for a cure to autism, autism cannot be cured and has no need to be.

Autistic people are often grouped together, when in reality autism affects each person differently. First Flight High School guidance counselor Amy White noted that the key to supporting students with autism is understanding them individually.

“I think that sometimes the misconception is that (autistic people) will look the same or have the same behaviors, but each person is differ-

ent,” White said.

Every student, schoolwide, is different and has their own set of proficiencies and skills. Some autistic students may just need a little extra support.

“They may need a little bit more direction on certain behaviors or prompting to do the work or even assistance with the work,” White said.

Sam Iulo, the NC Extended Content Standard Exceptional Children’s Teacher, also explained that autism varies within each individual.

“It is important to recognize that they do want to fit in but it is really tough for them to figure out how,” Iulo said. “Many of them are aware that they do not fit in and it affects their mental health as they get older. Every person has a gift and deserves a chance to be recognized and appreciated for their differences.”

People like guidance counselors and specialists such as Iulo work with students with autism in a variety of ways, including working with faculty to create a team that is supportive toward the specific student. The goal is to lift up those students’ abilities.

However, White notes that sometimes they run into issues.

“I think the mistake is misunderstanding the student. They need to understand the students and what their needs are. Every student is different – that is the most important thing I’ve learned,” White said.

Iulo said she uses many different techniques to work with and support

students, including focusing less on verbal instructions and more on gestures and written schedules. Iulo added that learning students’ interests also encourages communication.

That goes for students in the halls as well as the staff members who work with students with autism.

“People with autism have so much to offer to the world. We can learn so much from them if we just change our expectations and let them lead the way,” Iulo said. “I hope that Autism Awareness Month helps everyone remember to embrace people for their differences every day instead of judging them.”

Awareness brings acceptance and appreciation, White added: “Getting to know someone with autism and working with them, helping out – I see a lot of students that are very supportive.”

Autism is defined individually. The boundaries impact each person differently. Not every autistic person is a savant with low social communication. Not every autistic person is high functioning with heavy hyper fixations.

“We are all human, we are all unique individuals, and everyone should be accepted for who they are,” Iulo said.

Sophomore Ella Ogburn can be reached at 25ogburnel65@daretolearn. org.

Graphic by Ella Ogburn/Nighthawk News Autism is a condition that affects many people across the world. Autism Awareness Month helps neurotypicals understand people with autism better.

DCS seeks to expand community diversity with Spanish classes

By Daisy Morales Features Editor

Every Wednesday at 6 p.m., community members eagerly wait by the door at Nags Head Elementary School, waiting to be let into their classroom. Unlike the children who attend this school, these adults aren’t required to be there, but they all have one thing in common: a desire to learn Spanish.

“Why do you want to learn Spanish?” This was the question Nags Head Spanish teacher Liz Diaz asked her adult students to respond to. While the answers varied, most of them had to do with the fact that learning another language expands one’s knowledge.

Throughout Diaz’s class, many topics were taught, including conjugations, pronunciations and the many ways to say “because” in Spanish. Multiple answers were said and many laughs were exchanged.

The students all have the chance to ask and answer questions. Diaz tries to speak completely in Spanish so that her students can be listening and understanding. In addition, she has her students practice in small groups while she supervises.

“I walk around and I make sure they understand and that there aren’t any questions,” Diaz said. “Then, we socialize and we move on to the next topic. The classes are always around one communicative goal.”

Learning another language can be hard and it’s something that Diaz herself acknowledges. She has experienced this firsthand, as her first language was Spanish, but says that getting over the fear is the biggest hurdle.

“Losing the fear to not be right when they communicate an idea, and I think that’s a fear of all adults when they’re speaking in a foreign language,” Diaz said.

Despite that trouble, Diaz said she’s seen a lot of progress. Many of her students who were shy or didn’t know anything at the beginning of the class have started developing their Spanish-speaking skills.

“Wanting to learn another language, it’s a privilege and I think it opens so many windows, because it’s not only the words, it’s (also) the culture,” Diaz said. “I think it helps integrate the community.”

Learning another language can be beneficial for many reasons and it helps not just in the community, but also in a classroom setting with children and parents who are new to the English language.

“I’ve seen my colleagues struggling to communicate with families and sometimes with the students themselves,” Diaz said. “So it would be beneficial for them to be able to communicate at least basic thoughts and ideas with the parents and also establish connection and support with the student.”

This is something that First Flight High School science teacher Katie Neller has experienced firsthand. Upon receiving many new students who didn’t speak English, Neller was determined to help each student despite the language barrier.

“I’m getting more and more Spanish-speaking students,” Neller said.

“I see the challenges they have trying to understand English and I thought maybe if I could learn a little Spanish, I’d be able to help them a little.”

In addition to the Nags Head class, other Spanish classes are being offered throughout the elementary schools in Dare County. Neller attends the First Flight Elementary School Spanish class, which she says can be difficult at times.

“It’s really hard, and our Spanish teacher teaches it like my Spanish-speaking students,” Neller said. “They’re just thrown in a class with all English (materials) and kind of have to catch up.”

This has given Neller a good perspective on what her Spanish-speaking students are going through. Sometimes they have trouble keeping up with the rest of the class because they have to use online translators that slow them down.

Much like Neller, health sciences teacher Jennifer Kovacs wants to learn Spanish for her students, but she also wants to do so for her patients. Working as a nurse some weekends, Kovacs sees the necessity to be able to speak more than one language to better

assist her patients.

Kovacs explained that taking a Spanish class has great value, especially for parents of Dual Language Immersion (DLI) students, teachers, nurses and many community members who hope to broaden their understanding of another language.

“I figured when I took the class, I might be able to speak to my patients a little bit better. I don’t know about that – I think I’m still gonna be using Google Translate,” Kovacs said with a chuckle. “But at least I’ve tried and I’ve stretched out of my comfort zone and I was able to carve time out for something that interests me just to kind of listen and see what I can learn.”

While these classes have expanded over time, Mora Newton, coordinator of Dare County Schools’ DLI program, explained that originally the Spanish classes were for the parents of students in the DLI program so that parents could help their children with their homework.

However, over time the program morphed into a whole community affair, where everyone was invited to participate, but classes hadn’t been able to start because of COVID. The most recent class started in January, with teachers, parents and community members enrolling.

“We do have a growing Latino Spanish-speaking population and, especially when we have students who are enrolling in high school new to the country or new to Dare County, it’s scary,” Newton said. “Even basic conversation, not talking about, ‘Can you understand the high school science or social studies or math curriculum,’ but can you ask your teacher for permission to go the bathroom?”

With many DCS teachers and employees being part of the program, Newton explained that the purpose of learning Spanish is not just to teach in another language but to be someone students can rely on.

Newton said she’s been speaking with teachers and Central Office staff about plans to help teachers know the basics about communicating with students who don’t speak English. At the same time, she praises the time and dedication adult students have put in to learn Spanish.

“When something is hard for us, we’re not naturally inclined to keep trying, and so when something like a language becomes harder and harder with age, it’s easier to just not try,” Newton said. “Having a large section of our community open to that and wanting to try it I think speaks towards the future and just how we can be more accepting of others and be willing to take a chance and grow and learn when it’s not the easiest thing to do.”

Senior Daisy Morales Bravo can be reached at 23moralesda04@daretolearn. org.

Photos by Daisy Morales Bravo/Nighthawk News

Adult students immerse themselves in developing their Spanish-speaking skills by saying what they will do on the weekend. Every Wednesday, they attend Nags Head Elementary School with the intention of expanding their cultural knowledge. (Below) Spanish teacher Liz Diaz and her students engage in a guided notes practice. Some students have trouble keeping up with the pace of the class, as it is completely in Spanish, but Diaz always tries to make sure they are understanding.

DCS busca ampliar la diversidad comunitaria con clases de español

Escrito por Daisy Morales Editora de Artículos

Cada miércoles a las seis de la tarde, miembros de la comunidad esperan ansiosos junto a la puerta de la Escuela Primaria de Nags Head, esperando que los dejen entrar a su salón de clases. A diferencia de los niños que asisten a esta escuela, estos adultos no están obligados a estar allí, pero todos tienen una cosa en común: el deseo de aprender español.

“¿Por qué quieres aprender español?” Esta fue la pregunta que la maestra de español de Nags Head, Liz Diaz, les pidió a sus alumnos adultos que respondieran. Si bien las respuestas variaron, la mayoría tenía que ver con el hecho de que aprender otro idioma amplía el conocimiento.

A lo largo de la clase de Diaz, se enseñaron muchos temas, incluyendo conjugaciones, pronunciaciones y las muchas formas de decir “porque” en español. Se dijeron múltiples respuestas y se intercambiaron muchas risas.

Los alumnos tienen la oportunidad de hacer y responder preguntas. Díaz trata de hablar completamente en español para que sus alumnos puedan ir escuchando y entendiendo. Además, hace que sus alumnos practiquen en pequeños grupos, mientras ella supervisa.

“Camino y me aseguro de que entiendan y que no haya preguntas,” Diaz dijo. “Luego, socializamos y pasamos al siguiente tema. Las clases siempre giran en torno a un objetivo comunicativo.”

Aprender otro idioma puede ser difícil y es algo que la propia Diaz reconoce. Ella ha experimentado esto de primera mano, ya que su primer idioma es el español, pero dice que superar el miedo es el mayor obstáculo.

“Perder el miedo a no tener razón cuando comunican una idea, y creo que ese es el miedo de todos los adultos cuando hablan en un idioma extranjero,” Diaz dijo.

A pesar de ese problema, Diaz dijo que ha visto mucho progreso. Muchos de sus alumnos que eran tímidos o no sabían nada al comienzo de la clase han comenzado a desarrollar sus habilidades para hablar español.

“Querer aprender otro idioma es un privilegio y creo que abre tantas ventanas, porque no son sólo las palabras, es (también) la cultura,” Diaz dijo. “Creo que ayuda a integrar a la comunidad.”

Aprender otro idioma puede ser beneficioso por muchas razones y ayuda, no solo en la comunidad, sino también en un salón de clases con niños y padres que son nuevos en el idioma inglés.

“He visto a mis colegas teniendo problemas comunicándose con las familias y a veces con los mismos estudiantes,” Díaz dijo. “Por lo tanto, sería beneficioso para ellos poder comunicar al menos pensamientos básicos e ideas

con los padres y también establecer conexión y apoyo con el estudiante.”

Esto es algo que la maestra de ciencias de la Escuela Secundaria de First Flight, Katie Neller, ha experimentado de primera mano. Al recibir muchos estudiantes nuevos que no hablaban inglés, Neller estaba determinada a ayudar a cada estudiante a pesar de la barrera del idioma.

“Cada vez estoy recibiendo más y más estudiantes hispanohablantes,” Neller dijo. “Veo los desafíos que ellos tienen para tratar de entender inglés y pensé que tal vez si pudiera aprender un poco de español, podría ayudarlos un poco.”

Además de la clase de Nags Head, se ofrecen otras clases de español en las escuelas primarias del condado de Dare. Neller asiste a la clase de español en la Escuela Primaria de First Flight, y dice que a veces puede ser difícil.

“Es realmente difícil, y nuestra maestra de español lo enseña como mis estudiantes hispanohablantes,” Neller dijo. “Simplemente los arrojan a una clase con todos los (materiales) en inglés y tienen que ponerse al día.”

Esto le ha dado a Neller una buena perspectiva sobre lo que están pasando sus estudiantes hispanohablantes. A veces tienen problemas para mantenerse al día con el resto de la clase porque tienen que usar traductores en línea que los retrasan.

Al igual que Neller, la maestra de ciencias de la salud Jennifer Kovacs quiere aprender español para sus alumnos, pero también quiere hacerlo para sus pacientes. Trabajando como enfermera algunos fines de semana,

Kovacs ve la necesidad de poder hablar más de un idioma para ayudar mejor a sus pacientes.

Kovacs explicó que tomar una clase de español tiene un gran valor, especialmente para los padres de los estudiantes de inmersión en dos idiomas (DLI), maestros, enfermeras y muchos miembros de la comunidad que esperan ampliar su comprensión de otro idioma.

“Pensé que tomando la clase, podría hablar un poco mejor con mis pacientes, no sé de eso- Creo que seguiré usando Google Translate,” Kovacs dijo con una sonrisa. “Pero al menos lo intenté y salí de mi zona de confort y pude sacar tiempo para algo que me interesa solo para escuchar y ver qué puedo aprender.”

Si bien estas clases se han ampliado con el tiempo, Mora Newton, coordinadora del programa DLI de las Escuelas del Condado de Dare, explicó que originalmente las clases de español eran para los padres de los estudiantes del programa DLI para que los padres pudieran ayudar a sus hijos con sus tareas.

Sin embargo, con el tiempo, el programa se transformó en un asunto de toda la comunidad, donde todos estaban invitados a participar, pero las clases no habían podido comenzar debido a COVID. La clase más reciente comenzó en enero, con la inscripción de maestros, padres y miembros de la comunidad.

“Tenemos una creciente población latina hispanohablante y especialmente cuando tenemos estudiantes que se están inscribiendo en la escuela

secundaria que son nuevos en el país o nuevos en el condado de Dare, da miedo,” Newton dijo. “Incluso la conversación básica, no estoy hablando de que si puedes entender el plan de estudios de ciencias o estudios sociales o matemáticas de la escuela secundaria, pero puedes pedirle permiso a tu maestro para ir al baño.”

Dado que muchos maestros y empleados de DCS forman parte del programa, Newton explicó que el propósito de aprender español no es solo enseñar en otro idioma, sino ser alguien en quien los estudiantes puedan confiar.

Newton dijo que ha estado hablando con los maestros y el personal de la oficina central sobre los planes para ayudar a los maestros a conocer los conceptos básicos sobre cómo comunicarse con los estudiantes que no hablan inglés. Al mismo tiempo, elogia el tiempo y la dedicación que los estudiantes adultos han puesto para aprender español.

“Cuando algo es difícil para nosotros, no estamos naturalmente inclinados a seguir intentándolo, y por lo tanto cuando algo como un idioma se vuelve más y más difícil con la edad, es más fácil simplemente no intentarlo,” Newton dijo. “Tener una gran parte de nuestra comunidad abierta a eso y con ganas de probarlo, creo que habla del futuro y de cómo podemos aceptar más a los demás y estar dispuestos a arriesgarnos, crecer y aprender cuando no es lo más fácil de hacer.”

Estudiante de último año Daisy Morales Bravo puede ser contactada por 23moralesda04@daretolearn.org.

Foto por Daisy Morales Bravo/Noticias de Halcón Nocturno Los estudiantes ponen atención a la clase de Diaz. Aprender otro idioma puede ser difícil y eso es algo que todos los que aprenden otro idioma han experimentado. De acuerdo con Newton, estas clases estan ayudando con la aceptación y tolerancia en la comunidad.

Progress on Colington Road is worth the wait to residents

By Kira Walters News Editor

For many students, Colington Road in Kill Devil Hills is one of the scariest roads to drive on in the Outer Banks. It is one of the busiest secondary roads in North Carolina, spanning just over five square miles with a population of around 3,500 people. For such a small area of the island, it is home to many.

The issue of expanding Colington Road was long discussed. The resulting $20 million contract to begin construction included main goals of resurfacing the pavement, adding seven-foot wide paved shoulders to allow for bikers and pedestrians to travel safely, realigning several curves, raising the grade on sections of the road that frequently flood and even adding additional turn lanes.

“The project is currently about 65% complete. Most of the work began on the west end of Colington Road and is progressing east towards US-158,” said Brandon Tatum, project director from the Department of Transportation. “The drainage improvements and culvert replacement are complete and the widening for the bike path is up to the final layer of asphalt through 50% of the project. Work has now shifted to the intersection of US-158 and Colington Road.”

While quite a few improvements have been made on the road since construction began, such as the realignment of a number of curves that make the road safer and easier to navigate, there also have been a variety of inconveniences.

Potholes. Bumps. And, most prominently, the traffic in the mornings. These problems residents are facing are quite irritating, especially when they are in a rush to school, work or other obligations.

“We have received some concerns about the traffic delays at times throughout the project,” Tatum said. “Mostly, people have been understanding of the construction and delays and they are excited to see the work progress.”

The one-lane roads causing these delays in traffic are necessary, but residents were informed that there would not be any delays before 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. When they are traveling at 8 a.m. on the way to work and see a road-block, they feel deceived.

“It definitely takes time out of my day, so I have to leave earlier for some things,” said junior Ella Walker, a Colington resident.

Even with the contract in place, the construction has still impacted residents’ schedules.

“There is an intermediate contract time that restricts lane closures on Colington Road from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.,” Tatum explained. “However, the Department has allowed the contractor, at times, to begin setting the closures up at 8:30 a.m. The ability to start earlier allows the contractor more working hours each day in hopes of completing the contract ahead of schedule.”

Limiting the one-lane road closures to within school hours has meant less traffic congestion and more efficient travel when residents are leaving for, or coming back from, school or work.

There are more imperfections in the road now due to drainage issues that have been fixed since con-

struction started. This also makes the road slightly more difficult to drive on and the journey a little slower.

“The drainage and water main improvements in the contract require multiple crossings beneath the asphalt roadway. Once these crossings are complete, the contractor patches the area with asphalt,” Tatum said. “These patches are allowed to settle under traffic before the final layers of asphalt are placed and sometimes create bumps and potholes. Once the final layers of asphalt are placed, the ride will be much smoother.”

Some people disagree with this idea that the new and improved road will be worth all of the struggles.

“We have a sidewalk already and I think everything that they say they are changing hasn’t really changed much,” Walker said.

With some visible progress on the road, residents must contend with the current inconveniences. While traffic congestion is certainly an issue, the safer, wider road should be worth the difficulties people are dealing with now.

“Considering the widening to accommodate the bike path on both sides of the road along with the improvements to the elevation of the roadway, the route will be much easier and safer to travel,” Tatum said. “Although it affects many people traveling this route, it is a necessary inconvenience to preserve and maintain the roads and keep the traveling public safe.”

Junior Kira Walters can be reached at 24walterski77@daretolearn.org.

For two new teachers, it’s welcome ... and welcome back

By Audrey Lovell Social Media Editor

The hallways of FFHS have changed recently with two new additions: a 6-foot-8 man towering over eager-to-learn students and a young woman ready to spread her knowledge.

“You can definitely find me walking around because I’m the big, huge, tall, bald guy,” said Brian Kennedy, First Flight’s new ESL teacher.

Before making his way to FFHS, Kennedy went through a long list of careers. He served in the military, lived in South Korea, was a wilderness EMT, drove semi trucks and taught elementary school.

“I feel I’m almost like a cat,” Kennedy said. “I’ve lived multiple lives.”

Kennedy first found his calling to teaching at an elementary school in Charlotte. After working for two and a half years there, his elementary school principal suggested he try another teaching career.

“He said, ‘Mr. Kennedy, based on all of your life experience and all those different things that you’ve done, we don’t want to get rid of you but you would probably be a better fit at a high school,’ ” Kennedy said.

His variety of life experiences has allowed Kennedy to give advice to and make connections with the new students he chats with during class, in the

halls and at basketball games.

“I’ve got two two bachelors degrees and a masters, so obviously I value higher education,” Kennedy said. “But at the same time, I also know that you could take a six-week course in truck driving and be making really good money really quick.”

While Kennedy had to spend time getting adjusted to First Flight, another new addition at the semester break needed no introduction. Savannah Wallace made her return to First Flight as a teacher after graduating from here only five years prior. Wallace attended college at Appalachian State University, where she studied secondary education and history.

After replacing the retiring Karen Head, Wallace walks the halls as a staff member but recalls a time when her coworkers were her teachers.

“When I was in high school, I had this problem where I would always call them by their first names,” Wallace said. “Now, I have this problem of only calling them by their ‘Mr.’ or ‘Mrs.’ title.”

At 23, Wallace has started her career by teaching students in World History and American History classes. Because of her age, Wallace is able to relate to her students in a multitude of ways.

“It’s a cool thing to be able to relate to them from a teacher perspective, but then also being a student here,” Wallace

said. “I can be like, ‘I had Mr. Mount for my 10th-grade English, too.’ ”

Wallace also mentioned another way she is able to personally connect with her students. She knows and is friends with many of her current students’ older siblings. In that sense, she not only knows how her students are in school, but outside.

This recollection of common First Flight memories makes it easy for stu-

dents to get to know these new faces. Both Kennedy and Wallace have the experience to relate to their students in many different ways, a quality that is crucial in teaching. It certainly helps make the transition to a new job easier.

“I’m happy here. I don’t plan to leave. Hashtag First Flight Forever!” Wallace said.

Senior Audrey Lovell can be reached at 23lovellau71@daretolearn.org.

Photos by Kat Gregg (left) and Daisy Morales/Nighthawk News First-year teacher Savannah Wallace works with one of her Social Studies students, a meeting Wallace was on the other side of at FFHS not too long ago. ESL teacher Brian Kennedy explains an assignment to his class, sprinkling in his expansive knowledge and fun personality.

StageKraft seniors take their final bows

By Oliver Parks Staff Writer

For many, high school can be seen as a dramatic or emotional time. But for StageKraft Theatre kids, it quite literally is – and they wouldn’t have it any other way. Nighthawk News caught up with a few StageKraft seniors just before their final show, so let’s see what these bright, shining stars have to say:

Q: What’s your favorite thing about theater?

Johnathan Rawls

My favorite thing about theater is the people. We’ve created a close, tight-knit community, and I’ve met a lot of my closest friends through it.

Saturn Manning

My favorite thing about theater is the entire community! A few years ago, it was really intimidating to be in theater because of how higher classmen/lead actors used to treat lower classmen and ensemble, but the community has improved a lot and I think everybody is really sweet to each other, even the directors and teachers. The people with me in theater have helped improve my confidence a lot throughout the years because of how accepting and outgoing everyone is.

Alex Livingston

I’ve always loved the community, especially as someone who just moved to the Outer Banks this last year. The people are some of the most welcoming and friendly people I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Q: What first got you to join/participate in theater?

Johnathan Rawls

I was very shy – I still am – but I wanted to increase my confidence, so I took theater class with Mrs. (Monica) Penn. It was actually her who convinced me to get on the stage and start acting, and I’m quite glad I did.

Saturn Manning

I’d like to say my friend Skylar, who’s now moved away, was what actually got me into doing theater. I was also probably under the influence of other friends as well, but mostly Skylar.

Alex Livingston

My junior year, I had two friends who were in tech that practically forced me to join them on the second

production. My entire family has done musicals and plays and I didn’t really think I’d ever have the ability to do one, but hey, I gave it a shot and now here I am three shows later.

Q: Do you have any intentions to continue participating in theater after high school, in local theater groups or other official groups?

Johnathan Rawls

Yes, I want to try and minor in performing arts, but I’d at least like to continue acting as a hobby if nothing else because it’s super fun to do, and gets me out of my comfort zone.

Saturn Manning

I’m not completely sure that I plan

on doing anything in local theater groups and such, but I do like to think that I’ll continue doing theater classes/ clubs in college still.

Alex Livingston

I’m definitely gonna join some productions at BYU-Idaho. I’ve also thought once or twice about joining the sketch comedy group up there as a writer.

Q: What words of encouragement would you say to any freshmen or other newcomers who might be interested in learning more about joining StageKraft?

Johnathan Rawls

I’d say just go for it! It’s terribly nerve-wracking at first, but it gets easier over time. But you don’t have to be on stage if it’s not your forte. There are many backstage positions available, and that’s where I actually started. Working backstage is just as important as acting, and it can be incredibly fun as well.

Saturn Manning

Theater can be very intimidating to join, especially if you were shy like I was when joining. But you end up making a lot of friends and nobody ever judges you. They’re all there to help you improve.

Alex Livingston

Be confident. A lot of the time it can be intimidating seeing so many other people with more experience, but everyone in theater will be there to help if you get nervous or mess up.

Senior Oliver Parks can be reached at 23parksol67@daretolearn.org.

FFHS showcases four All-Region musicians

By Cameron Piland Staff Writer

Senior Mary Kathryn Stroud is used to making beautiful music as first violin of the FFHS string orchestra. What she heard from the stage of the all-region symphony performance was a whole other level.

“The concert was fabulous. There were so many people on each part. The sound was so big and full, it was the most people I’ve ever played with,” Stroud said. “Cellos, violas, violin 1s and 2s, basses, horns, woodwinds. It was really fun to hear all the instruments playing together. I’ve never done anything like that before.”

Stroud and fellow seniors Ellis Turnage and Delaney Hanf, along with junior Heath Miller, each enjoyed a prestigious honor this winter, getting

picked for all-region concerts to play with other talented youths after auditioning. Each FFHS musician beat out students from schools in the east region.

“We first began with playing the music we had practiced, then we sightread a solo and (played) scales,” Stroud explained. “I was very nervous and it felt like it was 300 degrees in the high school. It was so hot.”

The strings auditioned in Fayetteville, which was a minor problem for Miller. He started his Saturday in Greenville for the all-region band audition, where he was playing his French horn.

“I didn’t actually ride on the bus like Delaney and Ellis, because I had another audition that day for the strings. I instead rode with my mom,” Miller explained. “We were there for a few hours, and so I was just sitting there waiting. They called around

four or five people at a time for each instrument.”

Miller made it into the North Carolina Music Educators Association All-Region Orchestra on violin, the NC Bandmasters Association All-District Band on French horn, and – after submitting a video audition earlier in the winter – the NC Bandmasters’ East Region Jazz Clinic on trombone.

The band and orchestra concerts were at ECU, while the jazz clinic took place at UNC Wilmington. The concerts came after long days of practice together as well as sectionals, with lots of time to get to meet new people from schools all over the state. College-level professors led the groups.

“There were two-hour rehearsals with 15-minute breaks in between,” Stroud said. “We did have a two-hour lunch break, but that’s probably be-

cause the lines for lunch were so long. After lunch, we got back to rehearsal and sectionals. I ended up going to bed around 8 – it was a very long day!”

Turnage earned a spot in the all-region concert band on trumpet. Hanf was the only upright bass in the concert band, learning that new instrument earlier this year after playing bass guitar in band and violin in orchestra during the rest of her high school career.

“I’ve only played the upright bass for around three months, so I wasn’t thinking I was going to get in, but there were only two people auditioning, so I had a fair chance,” Hanf said. “It was a little intimidating at first, but it was a lot of fun.”

Sophomore Cameron Piland can be reached at 25pilandca25@daretolearn. org.

Photo by Oliver Parks/Nighthawk News Seniors (from left) Alex Livingston, Johnathan Rawls and Saturn Manning rest in the glow of the overhead spotlights. Not only were they excited to perform in ‘Mamma Mia!’, but they are also looking forward to what the future holds for their theater careers.

Consistently

By Kayla Loveless Social Media Editor

You’re standing in front of a group of people, all eyes on you. You begin to talk, and they hold onto every word. They watch as you move, as you speak, as you do anything. That’s how Zoe Kane feels when she helps with dance classes at Dare County Parks and Rec, stars in and choreographs the school musical and belts out songs in chorus.

Kane participates in copious extracurricular activities, but she also challenges herself with taking nine classes her senior year. That’s on top of applying for college, scholarships and keeping her GPA up.

“A week in my life is hectic. I have dance classes from 4:30 to 8:30 on Mondays, I student teach on Tuesdays from 4:15 to 6:40, and then afterwards I run solo practice,” Kane said. “I’m trying to stay within the top of my class, so I keep a busy school schedule. After school every day, I have theater practice, which can run any time from 4 to 7:30 at night – 10 if it’s the last eight days of rehearsal.”

For the last few months, Kane’s busy day has included one thing: rehearsal for the spring musical, “Mamma Mia!”, and her leading role as Donna Sheridan. Not only does she perform her numbers, she also works behind the scenes by choreographing several dances featured in the musical.

Co-director Monica Penn said there were many reasons for choosing Kane for the lead role of Donna.

Her experience, for one: Kane has been in FFHS musicals since her freshman year.

“Zoe had the most experience, confidence and had the highest rating across the categories that we look for, which are acting ability, dancing ability, singing ability, grades and availability,” Penn said. “And not many people can belt like Zoe can.”

Kane’s experience is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to why she was chosen as the lead. She contributes greatly to the musical, and has shown her professionalism to the directors.

“She is always there when she’s needed and then some,” Penn said. “She’s contributed not only by being the star vehicle in this musical, playing Donna Sheridan, but she’s also helped choreograph so many of the numbers. She’s also helped clean up, fix and energize some of the other numbers in the musical.”

Dedication is not the only requirement for playing a lead role. Working well with others is a top priority when working with large groups of people. Junior Grace Rusk, who plays Tanya, one of Donna’s best friends in “Mamma Mia!,” emphasizes Kane’s ability to get along with just about anyone.

“She’s a really understanding person,” Rusk said. “She knows the best way to give you feedback, and she can take feedback as well, which is beneficial when doing theater because you need that.”

Choreographing for the musical is not the only dancing that Kane does in her week. Having spent the last 15 years dancing at Dare County Parks and Rec, she spends Mondays and Tuesdays at the Rec center

not just learning, but teaching as well. Kane teaches younger girls how to become better dancers.

“My favorite part about working with the younger girls is seeing that I’m leaving an impact in their lives. I’ve been dancing since I was 3 and I can remember when I was younger working with my teachers and looking up to the older dancers, wanting to be just like them,” Kane said. “They left such a heavy impact on my dancing career and pushed me to be the best dancer I could be. I hope that as these girls grow older they’ll be able to look back at the moments I’ve shared with them and push themselves to higher standards as well.”

Kane also is a member of the FFHS choir, and is currently the co-president. She has been a four-year member of the high school choir and also did choir in middle school, starting in the sixth grade. Director John Buford has taught Kane all seven years.

“Zoe, although she has a quiet personality, gathers a lot of respect from her peers because they realize there’s a talent in that quietness,” Buford said. “She’s invested in chorus, and it means a lot to her. It has ever since she started seven years ago. It’s something she values.”

So, whether you need a leader, a learner or a listener, Zoe Kane is who to call.

“Zoe has been consistently focused as long as I’ve known her, since sixth grade,” Buford said. “Some people just are that way. She’s consistently Zoe.”

Junior Kayla Loveless can be reached at 24lovelesska73@daretolearn.org.

Photos by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News Graphic by Annie Heath/Nighthawk News

Lopez-Perez ‘Takes a Chance’ on StageKraft

By Betty Morales Bravo Staff Writer

Moving heavy equipment, performing in the back of the ensemble, even lifting up his fellow actors – Angel Lopez-Perez knows that every small job makes a big difference in the success of a show.

By trying new activities to figure out his interests, Lopez-Perez was able to find his passion in acting. The freshman decided to audition for the play “Elf” in the seventh grade, which he described as a very unique and nerve-wracking experience.

“I was thinking to myself, ‘Maybe I should start acting to have a change in my life,’ ” Lopez-Perez said. “That’s when I started and fell in love with acting.”

Even by getting a small role in the ensemble for his first play, Lopez-Perez was still excited to be part of something new. He never felt as if his role was small or useless; he thought that every single role matters and put in all his effort.

“An ensemble brings the play to life, for everything –the music, the dances and all,” Lopez-Perez explained.

He enjoys working with his peers and likes receiving advice on his acting, especially from teachers like Lauren Deal. She is the co-director of the plays and musicals at FFHS.

“Angel came in and was automatically happy with whatever part he got,” Deal said. “He’s never seemed disappointed in anything. Especially for a freshman, he always keeps a really positive attitude.”

In the fall play “Peter Pan and Wendy,” Lopez-Perez played the role of Bill Jukes. In the recent spring musical “Mamma Mia!”, he sang and danced in the ensemble, but also helped behind the scenes before show day.

Out of all the things that go into theater, what he appreciates the most is working together with his peers.

“Something that I enjoy in theater is having friends that actually understand you on acting and having relationships with the other actors,” Lopez-Perez said.

Freshman Ariel Coughlin is one of Lopez-Perez’s friends in the cast and enjoyed working with him during “Peter Pan.”

“He makes acting really fun, so it’s always fun to hang out with him,” Coughlin said. “He’s very enthusiastic and he is always ready to get into action.”

When Lopez-Perez isn’t spending time with his friends, he’s getting ready for his time on stage; however, one of the hardest things for theater for him is memorizing his lines.

“If I could change anything, I think it would be practicing more on my scripts so I can get better,” he explained.

On stage, Lopez-Perez always tries his best so that everything goes as planned. Putting a lot of extra effort into the plays and musicals really helps the performance come to life.

“He works really hard, he is not afraid of a challenge and when we ask him to do something that seems unusual or he’s never done before, he’s always ready to try it,” Deal said.

Lopez-Perez explained how he is always nervous when on stage, but he knows that everything will be perfect in the end because of all the practice time.

“I feel nervous because I’m presenting to a whole stage and a whole lot of people. But I usually feel nervous and happy. After we have done everything, it’s always worth it,” Lopez-Perez said.

Sophomore Betty Morales Bravo can be reached at 25moralesbe41@daretolearn.org.

Photos by Betty Morales Bravo/Nighthawk News Angel Lopez-Perez (far right) engages in an intense arm-wrestling match while surrounded by his cast-mates in the recent run of ‘Mamma Mia!’ The freshman also danced in flippers (below) later in the musical.

‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!’ an encore: First Flight’s

‘Super Troupers’ put on the performance of their lives

Angel Lopez-Perez, Emerson Turner, Lorelai Earls and seniors Alex Livingston and Bella Sarbora forcibly pull freshman Charlotte Chappelle, who played Sophie Sheridan, in a comedic nightmare. Sophomore Jaylen Lindsey (left), who played Rosie, and junior Grace Rusk (right), who played Tanya, raise the spirits of the ‘Dancing Queen’, senior Zoe Kane, who played Donna Sheridan. Charlotte Chappelle (middle) shares Donna’s 20-year-old secrets with sophomore Mary Williams (left), who played Ali, and freshman Anya Preston, who played Lisa. Senior Charlie Ernst (left), who played Sam Carmichael, pops the awaited proposal question to Zoe Kane (right). Senior Johnathan Rawls, who played Harry Bright, reminisces on the memories of love and music as he softly strums his acoustic guitar. Senior RJ Jackson (right), who played Bill Austin, gracefully twirls sophomore Alex Tine as Skye across the stage in his flowing white wedding dress. Grace Rusk (left) and freshman Janell Sawyer, who played Pepper, engage in a flirtatious dance of summer romance. Jaylen Lindsey and RJ Jackson sing their way to falling in love. Freshman Nyx Furr (right) and Alex Livingston flip-flop around to get ready for Skye’s bachelor party. This StageKraft production broke the First Flight High School record for most attendees at a musical production in a single night, nearly selling out with a house of more than 500 people. ‘Mamma Mia!’ also set a record for total attendance.

Photos by Taylor Newton/Nighthawk News

Clockwise, from top right: Freshmen (from left)

Nighthawk News Editors-in-Chief: Emmy Benton, Emma Braithwaite, Olivia Sugg

Online Editors-in-Chief: Mackenzie Edwards, Allie Nigro

Features Editor: Daisy Morales

Opinions Editor: Samuel Smith

Sports Editor: Stella Bryson

Photo Editor: Taylor Newton

News Editor: Kira Walters

Social Media Editors: Kayla Loveless, Audrey Lovell

Staff Writers: Vada Clark, Kat Gregg, Foster Guns, Annie Heath, Betty Morales Bravo, Ella Ogburn, Oliver Parks, Cameron Piland, Bella Sarbora, Logan Thiessen, Helen Thorp, Kate Wasniewski

Adviser: Steve Hanf

Nighthawk 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.

Our View: Living on the beach brings false sense of security

The Netflix show “Outer Banks” is factually incorrect when it comes to, well, just about everything. It is set in the fictional county of Killdare, filmed in South Carolina and filled to the brim with mere references to the real Outer Banks that Nighthawk News is created in.

There are no “pogues” or “kooks” and no fancy conspiracies, or at least not any that the local teenagers have chosen to make every waking moment of their adolescent life about.

Despite these inaccuracies, however, the show has managed to correctly portray one aspect of life on the OBX: the bubble that we live in.

This point should be prefaced with saying that living in this bubble or being “sheltered” is not necessarily a negative quality in terms of the upbringing of a child. Every parent wants their child to be safe from dangers while they’re young, and parents on the Outer Banks are no exception.

While this edition of Nighthawk News focuses on a number of scary topics such as female safety in public, we are thankful to live in an area where, in general, we are not scared to go to Walmart at night or to pump our own gas: a privilege people in many other communities do not have.

Fortunately, instead of experiencing it, we only hear about it on the news. Here, we complain about traffic and long lines at the grocery store on summer weekends. This lifestyle is why some families chose to live here in the first place. Protecting the young is a fundamental necessity for the evolution of a species, and in a world of modern threats and fears, turning back the clock a bit on the Outer

Banks is not a bad thing.

The problem with a sheltered adolescence comes when it lasts too long. Whether adults like it or not, the children of the present day will eventually become adults in their own right, and will need certain skills and knowledge necessary for adulthood.

After years of being raised on an island with one main road and only a handful of restaurants open in the off-season, adulthood comes. Some kids go to college, others take a full-time job, but all are no longer kids. The rest of their lives have come knocking and the reality of the situation hits like a brutish home invader.

The future is a scary concept for everybody, including the children of the world, the elderly and everybody in between. The very second the kids of the Outer Banks leave the island and become adults can feel like being transported to a whole new planet, with new places and people. This new environment can sometimes be a jolt to those who are used to the Outer Banks.

The 2023 senior class of First Flight will soon experience adulthood, in much the same way as the 2022 and 2021 senior classes have, and the 2024 and 2025 senior classes will after. It won’t be long before these students follow in the footsteps of adults who came before them. Time moves ever-forward, and the adolescents of the OBX are growing up.

It’s important to remember that the world is wider than the ocean to the sound, and there’s more out there than our little barrier island.

This staff editorial reflects the opinion of the Nighthawk News editorial board.

Hawk Talk: How do you feel about daylight saving time?

“It’s OK. It originated for farmers, so I think it’s helpful, but it’s annoying to wake up at different times and having to fix your (sleep) schedule.”

“I don’t want to get rid of daylight saving time because it gives you an extra hour of sunlight for stuff after school in the fall and winter, and I like that.”

– sophomore Catalina Lokie

– sophomore Josh Mouser

“I like the extra hour we get, but on the other hand I hate it when we switch back.”

– freshman Emily Shepherd

“I wish North Carolina would get rid of daylight savings because I don’t like losing sleep in the spring.”

– freshman Cayden Jensen

To be or not to be influenced, that is the question

Scrolling through TikTok, you constantly see post after post of new products. Always liking and sharing videos you see of influencers showing “must have” products leaves a question to ponder: Are these influencers making content for the good of their followers, or just to make a quick buck?

The rise of social media during the 2000s has had a variety of positive benefits such as being able to communicate more easily and sharing new ideas across the internet, but constant scrolling can be a toxic environment for our generation to grow up in.

Social media began to take a turn as different apps like TikTok and Instagram became more popular. Not only are users contributing to this, but the content creators working behind the entire purpose of these apps helps to keep the apps trending. Influencers sharing and creating content, I believe, has done more harm than good.

Influencers are creators on social media platforms with a large number of followers, creating content to entertain users. Influencers are given a certain amount of money per post, depending on the amount of views, likes and followers they obtain. Influencers can fall into a constant loop of money, money, money.

Creating content can

be easy with just one video you post quickly amassing hundreds or thousands of views, whether that was your intention or not. You are able to have a video go viral quickly and gain a large number of supporters in a short amount of time. I believe this is where influencers take advantage of their gains and are quickly filled with arrogance. There is a subconscious hierarchy that revolves around how many followers you have on any social media platform.

Influencer culture is known to involve hauls of items people buy, and unboxing PR packages that brands have sent to the influencers. New things to buy and being shown what you “need” to wear to be trendy each season are being thrown in your head every time you open an app on your phone.

How these influencers take advantage of you without you even knowing is simple: They get paid to promote a product (whether they actually enjoy it or not). Followers enjoy watching the influencer and they believe if they like it, that means they must get it as well. This not only gives the product more attention, but also the influencer promoting it.

Alix Earle, a social media influencer with a growing following of 4.4 million, started gaining supporters after

sharing her favorite makeup products on TikTok. She has become a widely known content creator, with many people calling her the new “It Girl” on TikTok. People see her videos, take interest in what she does, and once they see a product she uses and promotes, they are going to want to buy that product to be like her.

People follow what is trendy, and this is when social media starts being toxic.

As soon as something goes viral, good luck trying to find it in stores for the next month. And if you’re one of the lucky people to get your hands on it, you’ll be paying extra because online and in-store prices skyrocket as a result of the product becoming more popular.

Tasman UGG slippers, Rare Beauty blush, Aritzia Super Puff, and claw clips have begun to take over the internet. Tasman UGGs were sold out on the UGG website for months during the past winter holidays. Rare Beauty blush has been cleared from every shelf in Sephora. All thanks to influencers who pushed these products.

De-Influencing, which is the opposite of influencing, is starting to tell the truth about influencer culture. People are shining a light on the truth about products that are trending and starting to bring the problem of overconsumption to the surface.

Influencers are constantly receiving free items from brands and then promoting them on their own social media platforms, which may be helpful for the brands

themselves, but is creating a worldwide overconsumption issue. Constantly purchasing new items just to be trendy is only creating more products that will eventually become waste, unable to be broken down. Nowadays, most teens go on Instagram or TikTok to look at recommendations and reviews on products. Just because something is trendy doesn’t always mean it is beneficial and will work for you.

We are in this constant cycle of following trend after trend. Social media has begun to fill up our lives and our eyes are glued to a screen. We want what other people have, and influencers aren’t making it any better.

Our generation has become so fixated on this idea of being “perfect” because of social media. An ideal body, clear skin and expensive clothes is

an unrealistic ideal, and these online influencers are definitely a big part of it. Influencers are able to make their life look a certain way, either by staging or editing photos. We begin to compare our own life to these influencers. We are comparing ourselves to a lie, to the idea of someone who might not even exist.

It’s hard to tell what is real or fake on social media, and with content creators constantly sharing posts and products that earn themselves money, it’s hard to be able to trust what they say. Next time you give an influencer attention on social media, ask yourself if you genuinely enjoy what they are promoting or talking about, or if you are just jumping on the bandwagon of trends.

Sophomore Kate Wasniewski can be reached at 25wasniewskika33@daretolearn.org.

Daylight saving time began in Canada in 1908, but was made popular by Germany in 1916. It was first adopted in the United States in 1918 during World War I and nearly every state uses it. In March 2022, the Senate passed a bill that would make daylight saving time permanent, but it has not been approved by the House of Representatives yet.

“These days most people are not waking up with the sun, so I wish we would get rid of it.”

Greenwood

“I like daylight saving time as a concept, but it doesn’t really have any purpose anymore. I wouldn’t care if we got rid of it.”

– junior Dillon Hoggard

“I think it’s very dumb. The whole thing is overly complicated, doesn’t serve much of a purpose during the modern day and I think we should get rid of it.”

“When I lose an hour of sleep, it’s stupid, and when I gain one, it’s great.”

Graphic by Kate Wasniewski/Nighthawk News While scrolling through popular social media sites such as TikTok, you may recognize some well-known influencers promoting new products.

– senior Alex Livingston

– senior Nick Dinkle

– junior Lainey

Books. Pages filled with words. To some, reading could never be considered fun. However, it is fun to me because you get to escape reality for some time and live inside a world of fantasies. What could be better? If you say you hate reading, you just haven’t found the right book yet. Here are some different books I enjoy reading, and I think you will love them, too:

“The Inheritance Games”

By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Avery Grambs is a normal teenager living a normal life. Her normal life changes, though, when she receives the fortune of a random billionaire who recently passed away. To gain the billionaire’s fortune, she has to live a year in the billionaire’s house, which is filled with mysteries, secret passages and even the four grandsons of the billionaire. She has so many questions, but the only way to find answers is if she solves them.

This book had me hooked from the beginning. It has plot twists you wouldn’t imagine, secrets within secrets, lies within lies. While reading this, it will make you feel like a detective, trying to solve the riddles and mysteries before the characters do.

“The Summer I Turned Pretty”

By Jenny Han

Summers are always the best time for Isabel “Belly” Conklin. Every year since she was born, she and her family have gone to Cousins Beach for

the summer with the Fishers. What she looks forward to most is being with Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher. When she arrives for the summer at the Fishers’ house, everything seems so different. It doesn’t feel like her normal summer. She also begins to regrow her feelings for Conrad Fisher, her childhood crush. Will this summer be the same for her, or will everything change?

This is something that should be only read in the summer or else you will terribly miss the season of beach days and ice cream. This book is something that everybody living here can relate to because of our proximity to the beach. This book is perfect for people who like teen romance books.

“Caraval”

By Stephanie Garber

Scarlett and Tella Dragna have always lived on an island and have never left it. With their very strict and cruel father, Scarlett still hopes for her wish to come true, which is to visit Caraval, a performance where you participate to win in a game. Everything becomes a disaster when her father forces her into an arranged marriage. And when she randomly receives tickets for Caravel, will Scarlett take her chance and escape with her sister and trust a random sailor to guide them?

From mysterious sailors to magic, this book has it all. It’s filled with adventure and mystery. This is a book that you won’t want to put back down once you start reading it. It is definitely worth reading and will entertain you from the beginning to the very end.

“I’m Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter”

By Erika Sanchez

Mexican-American Julia Rey is known as the “black sheep” of the family and her older sister Olga was known as the “perfect” daughter. When her older sister dies, she starts discovering secrets that might mean her sister was not the “perfect” daughter. Will she find what her older sister was hiding?

Finding a book you relate to is always a good feeling and this was the case for me. This is a great book for learning more about cultural diversity. It portrays Mexican culture and shows how it is portrayed in stereotypes.

“If He Had Been With Me”

By Laura Nowlin

Autumn lives in the suburbs of St. Louis. She is known as the “weird girl” at school, and her former childhood best friend is the opposite. Everybody at school wants to be friends with him and all the girls want to be with him. What will happen when she realizes she still has feelings for him after so long? Will she try to bring back the friendship they once had?

A tragic love story is what this book is described as. This book is something you know will end tragically, but forget by the end of the book because everything seems perfect. This book will give you a good cry if you are sentimental.

“Daughter Of The Pirate King”

By Tricia Levenseller

Adventure, fantasy, and even

romance: Alosa has been traveling through the sea for as long as she can remember. When her father, the pirate king, sends her to find a map for a treasure, she forces herself to be captured by another group of pirates – their enemies. Will she help her father and get the map for him or will she take the map and treasure for herself? She also has her own secret that helps and protects her along her journey. Will someone find out about it?

This is something that makes you want to experience an adventure like this one. It has sword fights, sirens and even magic. This is definitely a book that will make you want to read more fantasy books.

“Divergent”

By Veronica Rothoth

One city, five factions: Candor (honest), Abnegation (selfless), Dauntless (brave), Amity (kind), and Erudite (intelligent). Sixteen-year-old Beatrice lives in futuristic Chicago city. She has to choose which faction she will be part of for the rest of her life; she can either choose the same faction as her family (abnegation) or a new faction. After choosing her faction, she has to pass multiple physical and mental tests. The hardest part of her new journey is making sure no one finds out her real secret.

Can our world turn into something like this in the future? This book made me realize that the choices we make can affect our future. This is a mustread for people who like futuristic and adventurous books.

Sophomore Betty Morales Bravo can be reached at 24moralesbe41@daretolearn.org.

Books are better, and that’s that

Istill remember the first time I watched “Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief” when I was 11 years old. I had just finished reading the entire book series, a Rick Riordan binge. I expected things to be exactly how I pictured in my head; Annabeth would have blonde hair, Grover would look like my childhood best friend and Chiron wouldn’t actually be half centaur.

Little me was not ready for a dark brunette, an unfamiliar face and a strange CGI being. This ruined the entire experience for me. I couldn’t even bring myself to watch the other movies and, when I reread the series, my perfect imagery was shattered.

In every franchise I’ve ever obsessed over, I have been sorely disappointed by their movie versions.

While watching “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,” I thought I had fallen asleep and missed chunks of the movie. There were so many details and scenes that the directors decided to not include, but were key to the

story in the book. My biggest complaint is that Dobby, one of my favorite characters, is hardly mentioned or featured in the movies after his initial introduction in the second movie. In the books, he is an icon.

When I saw “The Fault in Our Stars,” I found myself cringing and rolling my eyes at parts the eloquent book had me in tears over.

Even my favorite book of all time, “Everything Everything,” seemed insincere and shallow on screen. The sweet and touching romances in the books come off as cringey and tacky when acted out. This is through no fault of the actors, it is just another reason why not every book can become a movie. Books allow you to create your own scenario in your mind, one where you don’t have to watch Ansel Egort (Augustus Waters in “The Fault in Our Stars”) trauma dump onto anyone who will listen.

There are varying reasons as to why film adaptations are so lacking. It could be that the actors are bad, or the authors

forfeited their rights to the franchise and got no say in the script. And, some stories just aren’t meant to be seen on the silver screen. The ideas don’t translate; they look better in the reader’s imagination. I will never recover from the disappointment I feel as I see the differences between what I imagine and what I am watching. The characters’ voices in my head, the way

they look, the motion of each scene. My brain takes the information given and runs with it – it’s not something I can control. Sometimes, I go as far as ignoring a few details written in the book because I have created my own idea and I don’t want to go against that. Seeing the contrasts between my mind and the movie always ruins everything for me.

I always have been and forever will be a book person. I love being able to make my own world, where I can change whatever I want. I love getting lost in a book and realizing I’ve read 200 pages in an hour. With movies, you get what you get. It’s not personal. Books are better and that is it.

Senior Bella Sarbora can be reached at 23sarborais62@ daretolearn.org.

Shelve that book and just press play

While books do provide the freedom of imagination, sometimes our minds can’t conceptualize something as grand as a fantasy world filled with different places, creatures and characters. Movies and shows can do the job for us.

Film adaptations not only let us visualize our favorite books, but allow us to get to know new worlds that books haven’t even explored. The highest-grossing movies of all time are “Avatar,” “Avengers: Endgame” and “Titanic,” only one of which is based on a book.

According to Swift Read, the average reader finishes a 350-page book in about 9.7 hours. It’s almost impossible to finish a 350-page book in two hours. Movies let you do just that. You’re able to re-watch your favorite movies in such a short amount of time.

If you want to watch an episode of your favorite show, they’re usually around 45 minutes long, meaning your day won’t be interrupted with

nine hours of reading. I can’t promise you’ll stop at one episode, but who has ever really stopped reading at one chapter?

Sitting down and really reading a book will take up most of your day. My family watches a movie every other night before we all go to bed. We start it at 7:30 and are in bed by 10. Sitting and reacting to movies and shows with my friends and family is one of my favorite pastimes.

There are so many movie adaptations out there that are better than the book. “Forrest Gump” is a film that most can agree is better than the book. The movie garnered an 8.8 out of 10 on

IMDb compared to the four out of five on Goodreads.

A movie with a significant difference in ratings is one of my all-time favorites, “The Devil Wears Prada.” It gained a four out of five from Common Sense Media, while the book only received a two out of five from the same company.

The latest movie based on a book that my family watched was “Where the Crawdads Sing,” a suspenseful film adaptation of a book about a woman growing up on the marshes of North Carolina who is accused of murder.

I have attempted to read “Where the Crawdads Sing,” but I could never really immerse myself in the world of Kya, the main character. The movie, though, captured my attention. We were seeing the world from the viewpoint of Kya, and were watching what she went through. I was able to feel the pain of the character, and feel empathy for her.

Feeling something like empathy

for book characters is not something that I am always capable of doing. To me, book characters are just that: characters. Sure, if a character dies or is injured, I would obviously be upset. But I’ve never cried while reading a book.

I have cried to plenty of movies and shows. Most recently, I cried watching the TV show “The Last of Us,” an adaptation of a video game of the same name. I watched as a couple grew old together through the hardships of an apocalypse. I’m not sure if a book could make me feel the same way that show did.

So while yes, reading books is something entertaining to do while you’re doing nothing, how many books have you cried to? How many books have you laughed to? Movies and shows are capable of doing something for me that books have never accomplished. They have made me feel.

Junior Kayla Loveless can be reached at 24lovelesska73@daretolearn.org.

Photo Illustration by Bella Sarbora/Nighthawk News The debate over which media wins out between books and movies has been an on-going dispute between book nerds and movie connoisseurs for decades.

BEST HEAD-BANG

Spotify always hits the spot

I’m going to start this off by saying that I love Spotify, and I’m sure Spotify loves my now four years of premium membership payments. I listen to Spotify daily, and have countless playlists for different “vibes” or “moods” that I wish to “boogie” to, each varying in hours of length (not that size matters, of course) and feeling.

Spotify has become a part of my life, and I honestly think I would be unable to go through my day without listening to the wide range of music it offers as well as its rather simple set-up and use.

When I’m working a 13-hour shift and need some background noise, Spotify is there. When I’m ignoring whatever it is my teacher is talking about while pointing at me from across the room, Spotify is there.

When I’m ignoring the fact that the human body requires regulated maintenance and sleep to function as I stare blankly at a wall and ponder life … Spotify is there. Even now, as I write this and wonder if that last sentence was a “bit much,” Spotify is there, blasting music into my left ear in what can only be described as my vain

attempt to go deaf.

Music helps me concentrate, and after trying other apps (I’m ashamed to admit that Pandora was a part of this trial and error), I’ve found that Spotify Premium gets the job done. Don’t get me wrong, having Spotify without Premium is almost worthless. You can’t shuffle playlists, skip more than three songs at a time, or listen to anything without Terry Crews telling you how to “moisturize your body with Old Spice” every 30 minutes. But I think it’s the same story, more or less, for any other music app.

Need a break from the ads, though? Well, you can banish those DoorDash demons from your beautiful ear holes for a variety of prices: from the standard $9.99 deal for single accounts, to a duo plan of $12.99 for music-enjoying pairs, and even a family plan of $15.99 just in case you wanted to pay for six different accounts all at once.

All of these are charged monthly, and if you were still iffy about going to college, maybe this will change your mind: Spotify offers a $4.99 option for students (which also comes with a subscription to Hulu without ads and

SHOWTIME.) With several ways to give Spotify your money, who wouldn’t want to have access to an extensive wide range of music and podcasts with unlimited playback, the option to download music so you can listen to it anywhere, and, of course … no Terry Crews selling Old Spice.

In other words, it’s the clear winner over any other music app or service, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Senior Oliver Parks can be reached at 23parksol67@daretolearn.org.

Listen to the Nighthawk News playlist compiled by Ella Ogburn here:

Amazon Prime: The Prime-time for music

Ilove money. Money and buying things. Money and buying things and getting a discount when buying those things. Money and buying things and getting a discount when buying those things… and music. Sounds like there isn’t much of a correlation between discounts and music, right?

Oh boy. Wait until I tell you capitalism has its upsides.

For every Amazon Prime membership comes a feature. A cute little feature. A feature for every Pearl Jam-loving, Radiohead-thrashing and Nirvana-seeking punk rocker. Be your vice The Drums, The Kinks, The Growlers or The Killers. Or your passion the

Beach Fossils, Basement, Beach House or Bruce Springsteen.

This unbelievably handy feature is Amazon Music.

While it may not have the newest uploads as quickly as Spotify, Amazon Music gets them eventually. Apple Music makes me unexplainably uncomfortable to use, namely because I can never remember my Apple ID password, but I definitely therapy-shop enough to have memorized my Amazon password. Plus, with Amazon Music you can listen to what you want, whenever you want, as all music streaming services should allow for…

[Cough cough, Pandora go home, cough cough.]

Sorry bronchitis or something.

Prime Music allows people to listen to individual songs on repeat, whole albums in order, a collection of songs from a singular artist in the form of a “REDISCOVER” playlist, and even a shuffled collection of songs that are similar to whichever song you started with.

Some days I’m feeling one song, on

repeat, for hours on end, and Prime allows me to scratch that peculiar itch in my brain. Other days I get in an experimental mood and want to discover something new, so the “REDISCOVER” playlists work for me. Prime allows for whichever form of music enjoyment the listener would prefer.

The cost of such high-quality accommodations for all of a listener’s needs, assuming that the listener would like all available music options instead of just a few, is $8.99 for Prime members and $9.99 for non-members when a listener opts for the Unlimited add-on.

So long as you can get past the fact that you need an Amazon Prime account to really take advantage of Amazon Music – and I understand it must be terribly difficult to accept discounts on an abundance of online shopping goods – I believe Amazon Music is the music platform for you.

Senior Samuel Smith can be reached at 23smithsa22@daretolearn.org.

FOR YOUR BUCK

Time to open up the musical box of Pandora

Ah, music. The moment when you can put in your earbuds, lay back, close your eyes and escape to any world you desire. What better way to do that than with Pandora?

Pandora is, by far, the best music streaming service. I love music more than most things in the world. I’m always searching for new music and I personally believe that the best way to

do so is through the Pandora app. When you first open Pandora, it prompts you to search for an artist, album, song, station or playlist that suits your fancy. Many users search for specific artists or genres.

Pandora has several “stations” that are essentially a collection of songs similar to the desired artist or genre chosen. This allows for users to discover new songs and artists similar to their taste.

Don’t know where to start? Users can browse popular stations. You also have the ability to browse by category, allowing you to pick stations based on new music, a mood you’re feeling, what’s trending and more.

Once users start to listen to different stations and build up their “thumbprint radio” – all songs a user has liked – the next time they go to browse, they will see new station and artist recommendations based on their listening. This enables users to discover music based on what they enjoy listening to, as well as to enjoy the artists they already love.

Pandora offers both a free and premium subscription. With the free option, you get access to all of the features mentioned above. This includes stations and podcasts, as well as to be

able to listen to specific songs, artists and others’ playlists by watching a short advertisement.

Pandora offers two premium options with only small differences. The first option costs $4.99 per month and gives the luxury of ad-free personalized stations, the ability to search and play specific songs and artists by watching an advertisement, unlimited skips and offline listening.

The second paid option costs $9.99 per month and includes unlimited offline listening, the ability to make and share playlists, and listen to specific songs and artists without watching any advertisements.

Pandora offers a 30-day free trial to users so they can try before they buy. The affordability of the premium options is tempting, and the free option holds several fantastic qualities, the best of which is the ability to allow users to discover new music based on what they love.

For all this, Pandora is no doubt the best music streaming service to help its users discover music that they may have never otherwise been exposed to.

Sophomore Vada-Lyn Clark can be reached at 25clarkva97@daretolearn. org.

Apple Music: The apple of my ear

Apple Music is just another one of Apple’s greatest inventions.

I’ve always been biased toward Apple products, and Apple Music is no exception. I’ve been an Apple Music subscriber for over a year now, and can definitively say that it is the best music streaming service out there.

Apple Music has everything you could ever want: curated playlists, basically every song ever produced, plus no ads. Even better, the Apple Music app is pre-loaded onto all iPhones, so no need to download additional apps that take up more storage. At $10.99 per month, some may think the price is steep, but it’s only one dollar more than its most-used competitor, Spotify Premium, and has more features.

One of my favorite features of Apple Music is spatial audio. Specifically made for AirPods, spatial audio is an immersive music experience in which listeners are able to feel like they’re at a private concert with the artist. Music comes at you from all angles: in

front, from the sides, above and behind. No other music streaming service offers such an experience.

Speaking of experiences, Apple Music’s most entertaining feature is Apple Music Sing. Simply put, Apple Music Sing is karaoke, where you have the option to lower the vocal volume of the song and sing lyric-by-lyric. This is great for parties, car rides or just having a solo concert in your room.

(Don’t be embarrassed. We all do it.)

Apple Music’s interface is easy to use, with many options to share your music. One of my favorite features is that you can connect with friends who also use Apple Music and see what they’re listening to. This way, you can

explore different music and see what’s popular. This is seen in other music streaming platforms as well, but with Apple Music, their profile pictures are put onto albums, songs or stations so you can quickly know what music to listen to next.

Speaking of friends, another music-sharing method special to Apple Music is SharePlay. With this, you can share a song with friends and listen to it in real time with them, making music sharing easier than ever.

With all of these innovative features, Apple Music is the best music streaming service by far. Give it a try and I promise you’ll be hooked.

If you need me, I’ll be listening.

Senior Emmy Benton can be reached at 23bentonem58@daretolearn.org.

The episodic plays of pleasant days

Comfort shows. We all have them. Something old that you have watched more times than you can count, or maybe just reliable, that we can fall back on and enjoy. Something to ignore the world to, something we play in the background to help us focus or feel at home, or maybe something that’s just too funny … even after the 20th re-watch.

If you’ve ever had your friends tell you to be quiet after you’ve been caught explaining the “genius” plot of “Breaking Bad” for the umpteenth time, chances are you know exactly what I mean.

For someone like me, a cold-blooded lobster who willingly secludes themselves into a cold dark cave to hunker down and do nothing, a lot of my comfort shows come from a variety of mediums. And if you relate to the very relatable and cliche description above, then maybe you’ll know what I mean when I say that one of my biggest “comfort shows” is actually YouTube.

Don’t get me wrong, I love streaming services like Hulu, HBO Max and Netflix (justice for ¨Inside Job”.) The

wide arrangement of both animated and live-action TV shows that allow me to just sit back with my eyes glazed over as I drool truly are bountiful and vast to be sure, and only the questionably plausible lord above knows how many times I’ve sat through the first season of “Stranger Things,” or “Watchmen” on HBO, or just re-watching the entirety of “Futurama” and “Adventure Time” just because I could.

But there is something magical about that horrible little info dump we call YouTube, be it the endless social media-like scrolling we have access to on the discovery main page, or the plentiful bounty of backlogged gems from our youth (that make us realize how badly humor ages).

It’s like cracking open a cold can of

cringey nostalgia, be it a memorable episode from “Cheers” or Markiplier playing through “Firewatch,” “Resident Evil 7” or “Donut County.” And although it may make our skin boil as we internally question: What are we doing? Wasting away our precious seconds of life just sitting alone re-watching the same hour-long video of a video game we’ll never play, or the season finale for a show where, by now, most of the actors have magically turned into living prunes … that aside, I still find it’s an enjoyable dose of serotonin, at least for me.

Comfort is a word that varies widely from person to person. Its exact definition can be drastic in difference depending on who’s asked, and it’s often that people can’t give a straightforward answer when the question arises. But, most people can agree that the formulaic head pats prescribed in modern television work well in making the audience happy. I’m sure most of us remember the high rise of excitement that came last year with the newest season of “Better Call Saul.” There is definitely a method to the madness, and TV studios have the method transcribed into marble.

To be able to sit back and relax as beautiful stories are fed to you, as if your screen is a tenderly loving mother that your wee baby eyes require sustenance from, is simply wonderful. Be it the dark and unspeakable places of the internet’s entertainment industries, the ones we promised to never tell our close friends or family about, or the numbing watch cycle headaches we like to call our childhood memories, or the mass-produced one-hit wonders that seem to be flowing from “Big Television” like they’re trying to drown us, comfort is derived from the simple feeling of belonging.

To belong to the pictures, to belong to a group of quirky individuals you have watched learn and grow, to belong to the team who stops the end of the world and defeats the ultimate evil. It’s as if you have front-row seats to the adventure, the drama, the horror. You are experiencing the story with the characters first hand, and to be able to jump start that feeling at the click of a button? That, my fellow binge-watching lobsters, that is what I call comfort.

Senior Oliver Parks can be reached at 23parksol67@daretolearn.org.

Horseback riders are saddled

You’re driving down an old country road with run-down houses on either side. Horses peer over the fence and watch you park in a long row of trailers lined up near the barn. As you climb out of your car, a fluffy yellow tabby who is the friendliest of the barn cats starts rubbing against your leg, while a jet black cat with green eyes keeps his distance.

Walking into the barn, you smell leather and peppermint, see the wall of saddles on one side and stacks of food bags reaching the ceiling on the other, hear the neighing of excited horses awaiting their visitor. You grab your saddle, bridle, halter and grooming bag and head to the outdoor stalls to grab your horse.

While this scene might sound like the intro to a small-town Hallmark movie, it’s an everyday reality for people who own horses all over the country, whether they live in a small Midwestern town or along the beaches of the Outer Banks. But there are extra challenges for horse owners here, especially those who want to compete in horse shows, which is the ultimate goal for some people who own horses.

The beach is so isolated that it makes it difficult, time consuming and

expensive to put yourself on the level that you need to be in order to even stand a chance in bigger competitions. No matter how many professional clinics you do and lessons you take at the barns in Virginia, nothing can match the amount of practice that people who don’t live on the beach have access to.

When local students and I compete, we are always at a disadvantage to the girls who live in Virginia because we live on the beach. The closest show barn is at least an hour away, and it’s hard to be on equal footing when you are competing against people who have the opportunity to ride more than one horse multiple times a day, and who have a full course of jumps set up all the time to practice whenever they want.

That being said, the hardest thing about showing is the feeling of not going anywhere. You’re training and working so hard and still not progressing as fast as you want to. It’s a hard feeling to overcome, because at some point you have to realize that trying to work on two things at once is difficult and more time-consuming than you would expect it to be.

What are those two things? It’s more obvious than you might think.

Photo by Brooke Mayo Photography

Junior Helen Thorp sits atop her horse, Puck, during a ride with one of the younger students who also takes lessons at the barn she goes to.

The battle is ongoing, the struggle is everlasting. Everywhere you look, there seems to be no escape. You take the receipt from the pump: $97.99 gone.

Gas prices in America are no laughing matter any more. With prices rising, we as a community need to figure out how to fight it. Since all the information out there is a little overwhelming, especially for newer drivers, I will go through the hassle for you.

We all remember the low prices of years past and we all remember the fact that we took it for granted. Then, when prices started to rise, people panicked and did some wild things.

These things were as simple as filling up a couple of jerry cans or putting a tarp in the back of their truck so they could fill the bed of their truck with gas. By the way, please don’t do this, it will definitely not end well for you.

I am someone who doesn’t pay much attention to where I get my gas. I usually just push my car to the limits and see how long I can have my tank on E and pull into whatever gas station is in my general vicinity when I get the feeling I’m going to get stuck on the bypass, but these prices are getting out of hand and making me think more about my gas-buying practices.

On the Outer Banks, you are either going to pull into a Circle K, Shell, Exxon, or a BP if you are following the patent-pending Logan method. First off, if you want to save money, don’t follow the Logan method. Instead, listen to this article and you’ll be saving money left and right.

Through the Exxon Mobil Rewards program, you can earn up to eight cents off a gallon of gas when you meet every requirement. This can help, but we can definitely save more.

Some apps will also pay you money back for getting gas at certain stations. The Upside app is one in particular that has grown in popularity in recent years that I already use. I have been able to save up to 15 cents a gallon, although Upside has one downside: Only certain stations partner with the app. Right now on the OBX, it’s only good at Circle K and Shell locations. Even though it’s limited, the money you can save at these two locations is still worth downloading the app. You also can get a special bonus when you get a friend to sign up with Upside.

I couldn’t talk about saving money on gas without talking about Harris Teeter Fuel Points. Harris Teeter has a rewards program that for every dollar you spend on groceries, you get one reward point. For every 100 reward points, you get 10 cents off,

and you can earn up to a full dollar off of gas per gallon.

These points can be used at Harris Teeter gas stations and at the BPs. If you want to get crafty, you can go and buy a bunch of gift cards from Harris Teeter, which gives you double the points toward your reward point total.

That’s a lot of savings.

In Kill Devil Hills alone, there are three Circle Ks, and as of writing this article, the cost per gallon is $3.20 at every single one. Signing up for their “Easy Pay” will save you an extra 10 cents per gallon and another 20 cents for the first 100 gallons of gas you buy.

When I combined this with the current offer on the Upside app, I would have saved 38 cents for every gallon. I promise, those 38 cents add up quick.

Don’t forget about other companies’ apps. BPMe gets you five cents off every gallon at the local BP stations. The 7-Eleven app gives you three cents off every gallon, but also comes with great rewards when you first sign up. And general apps like Gas Buddy can just help you find the cheapest gas either in town or when you’re on a trip.

There isn’t a miracle technique to getting free gas, but with rewards programs and deals on different apps, you’re sure to save a few bucks on every fill-up if you try to be a smart shopper.

Senior Logan Thiessen can be reached at 23thiessenlo14@daretolearn.org.

Premium tips on easing the pain at the pump with obstacles to overcome

One is the horse. And the other is you, the rider.

Working on your own skills as well as guiding your horse as separate elements is very important to enjoy success at shows. I can’t even describe how much time I spend every week stretching out my heels because my trainer says they can always be down further. If you want to go by the book, your heels are supposed to be “slightly below the horizontal,” but in reality, you want them to be shoved down as far as possible.

When talking about the horse, there are a variety of practice exercises that we do to prep for shows, depending on what type of show we’re planning to attend. As of right now, we’re starting the season showing in dressage (fancy dancing horses) and hunter jumpers (pretty, effortless, jumping horses).

For these two, we do the same type of exercises, mostly circles and a lot of working over ground poles. It may seem pretty boring, but there is a lot going on behind the scenes; for example, we have been working on perfecting circles for at least three weeks now and they still aren’t as perfect as I want them to be.

When you break through and start progressing the way that you want to, it’s an amazing feeling. But the pretty ribbons and trophies that come with successful shows sometimes aren’t enough to quiet the questions that most riders experience: Is it all worth it?

Showing is one of the most stressful

and toxic environments I’ve ever experienced, and I honestly don’t know how people are able to do nothing but show. Rarely does an event go completely the way you want it to, with snags and unexpected drama that manages to stress everyone out even more.

The snarky comments made behind your back from other teams: comments on you, your horses, your training, how you shouldn’t even be at the show in the first place. People are always so cliquish, sticking to their own groups and never being willing to talk to other teams, let alone encourage them, but toxicity from other kids isn’t the only thing wrong with horse shows. The majority of the equitation classes at shows (which are classes judged on how the rider looks) seem to only look at how skinny the rider is – the smallest one almost always wins. You can’t change it, but it is so difficult to find shows or barns in general that aren’t like that, so when you do you never want to leave.

No matter how many doubts creep into our heads, though, we always find our way back the next day, drawn by the sights and the scents and the sounds from the barn. Despite the plot twists that having horses brings into your life, being at the barn really is peaceful. It’s like an outlet, and no matter how bad my day might have been, after I’ve been to the barn, I always seem to feel better.

Junior Helen Thorp can be reached at 24thorphe91@daretolearn.org.

Junior Helen Thorp (left) enjoys a lighthearted moment with senior Peyton Harris after showing horses at an event at Crafty Fox Farm in Virginia. Riding at the same barn has helped the FFHS students become friends this year. Thorp and Harris are the oldest members of the Outer Banks Equestrian Club, which includes riders from the OBX and Currituck from elementary school to high school. Below, members of the group show off the many ribbons won at the highly competitive shows they attend.

Photos by Brooke Mayo Photography

‘You only get one brain’

Damar Hamlin injury raises awareness of dangers athletes face

By Mackenzie Edwards Online Editor-in-Chief

Recently, athletic trainers’ roles have become more prominent in the media and sports. Previously, athletic trainers typically held a behind-thescenes role in helping athletes, but after Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin nearly died on an NFL field on Jan. 2, the important role of athletic trainers has been brought to light.

Athletic trainers have many jobs, from making sure athletes have their physicals to treating athletes’ injuries when needed. They look over your medical history to make sure everything checks out and you are cleared to play a sport. They monitor practices and every home game in case of an emergency. In the state of North Carolina, they are even required to travel with football teams. No matter what, athletic trainers are there to help with every student-athlete’s medical needs.

Typically, students, parents and coaches undergo a meeting at the beginning of the school year to address concussions and other health risks associated with playing sports. FFHS Athletic Trainer Lindsay Austin was unable to hold that meeting this year because she did not arrive until the second semester. The Nighthawks had to use part-time trainers filling the position until Austin was hired.

Although athletes may think they are insignificant, concussions are truly a very serious condition.

“I always tell people when they get a concussion, it’s not something to play with. It’s not a broken bone. It’s not a cut. It’s not something that I can see,” Austin said. “I have to rely on that student-athlete to tell me what’s going on.”

Senior cheerleader Mayson Ogburn unknowingly suffered a concussion in seventh grade when she was dropped from a cheer stunt. She collided headon with another cheerleader, who was taken to the hospital for a concussion. Obgurn was unaware at the time that she was also suffering from a concussion.

Ogburn experienced several symptoms without under-

standing what she was going through. She was disoriented, crying and had headaches. She went to go see the athletic trainer, who then recommended she go to the emergency room to follow proper concussion protocol.

Ogburn was then sent to the hospital for a CT scan in a neck brace to help stabilize her spine in case there was a spinal injury from the fall. Upon being released from the hospital and able to return to her sport, there were many requirements before she could rejoin the team.

In order to return to a sport after a concussion, an athlete must complete a fiveday exercise program and be asymptomatic from a concussion for at least 48 hours. Many times, a doctor’s visit may be required to return to play. Athletic trainers are the next step to making sure you are fit for return.

“I had to check with (the athletic trainer) about running laps, so I had to run a certain number of laps for a certain amount of days, and I had to do conditioning before I actually went back,” Ogburn said.

If an athlete ignores the signs and continues to play through a concussion or returns to their sport too early, they can suffer secondary impact syndrome. Secondary impact syndrome can cause a much more severe outcome that can lead to traumatic brain injuries.

Darlene Sherman, a volleyball coach from the Metropolitan area who moved to the Outer Banks, has suffered the effects of secondary impact syndrome firsthand.

Her first concussion was severe: One of her players accidentally hit her in the head, causing her to pass out. She later went to a neurologist, who recommended she take two weeks off of coaching. A week after her return to coaching, she was hit by another ball to the head.

The second concussion was much worse for Sherman. At first contact, she became disoriented and lost the ability to communicate. At the time, they didn’t know, but the second concussion caused her heart to weaken, which also showed signs of a heart attack and stroke. When she regained

her communication skills, she returned to the same neurologist. This time, the recommendation for her treatment was a month off from coaching.

It seemed as if things couldn’t get worse, but unfortunately, they did. Once she was finally able to return to coaching, she was hit on the top of the head with another ball. She suffered her most severe concussion of the three, with a brain deficit. She was taken to a specific sports neurologist, who ran several tests to determine her functioning state.

This concussion was so severe that she was not able to count, not able to see, had no balance, lost muscle control and had many other severe symptoms. The sports neurologist she visited ordered an emergency CT scan, which revealed a brain bleed from the multiple concussions she had due to secondary impact syndrome.

People who have had a concussion before are three times more likely to experi-

ence another one. This rate can be especially higher in athletics and can cause such severe symptoms as it did for Sherman. She takes concussion protocol and athlete safety very seriously after her personal experiences.

“The chance of re-injury is also progressive and to the point where each concussion becomes more serious with less of an impact, so it can really change your cognitive functions long term,” Sherman said. “That’s what scared me, so I stepped away from coaching for seven years. It was really hard because coaching at that time was my sense of identity.”

Sherman has since resumed her coaching at a much smaller local volleyball club, though she has to be very cautious about her concussions and risk of recurrence. She is very cautious of her health and her players if one of them takes a hit because of her history.

“I just think that it made me as a coach more aware that

volleyball is a high-impact sport: You can take a ball from a serve pretty hard,” Sherman said. “It’s also why I’m so strict about my girls talking and communicating not to have collisions on court, or two people going after the same ball, because it’s severe.”

Everyone can react differently to concussions, so it is important to pay attention to your body.

“I would go and get checked out,” Ogburn said. “I really would just in case because it could be damaging to your brain. You never know, it could be bad.”

Austin echoed similar thoughts.

“I just try to stress the importance of you only get one brain,” Austin said. “That’s not something I can fix. That’s not something I can replace. That’s not something that’s going to grow back and you don’t want to damage it beyond repair.”

Senior Mackenzie Edwards can be reached at 23edwardsma78@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Mackenzie Edwards/Nighthawk News First Flight Athletic Trainer Lindsay Austin wraps a student’s ankle. Austin monitors student-athletes’ health in many ways, especially when it comes to concussion protocols and protecting students from brain injuries.

Behind the game: Where sports funding actually comes from

By Emma Braithwaite and Allie Nigro Editor-in-Chief and Online Editor-in-Chief

New uniforms, working equipment and fresh paint on the fields. All crucial to one of the biggest parts of a student’s high school experience. Most people focus on the wins and losses, fun memories and life lessons that come from playing a sport. But where does the money for high school sports actually come from?

Each year, First Flight High School is allocated an athletic budget to cover all school sports. This money comes from the Dare County Schools budget and is then managed by the principal and athletic director.

“One of the biggest things for me to consider is what our schedules look like,” Athletic Director Chad Williams said. “After I get my budget from the school district, everything else is driven by ticket sales, and what we make at the gate.”

Though many teams generate revenue, such as the football and basketball teams, this money goes right back into the athletic budget and is not necessarily used for the team itself.

“The basketball team generates way more than they would use,” Principal Chuck Lansing said. “So a lot of the money they generate on a Friday night ends up going towards our golf and tennis teams in the spring.”

There are a lot of costs that come with each team, as well as some main expenses.

“The athletics budget is absolutely eaten up by referees, travel costs and field paint,” Lansing said. “It’s crazy expensive.”

When it comes to officials, most sports have two working each game, while basketball pays three refs and football has five. Even sports like tennis and golf that don’t have referees have the high costs of travel: Every road trip an FFHS team makes comes with the cost of a driver and fuel. DCS uses a per-mile formula to cover bus expenses, so a trip to Manteo is much less expensive than a visit to Hertford County. That’s another challenge for the athletic budget in a conference with schools that are so spread out. Each sport comes with its own unique expenses. Swimming, for instance, pays to use the Outer Banks Family YMCA for every practice and meet.

As the athletic director, Williams works closely with the coaches, making sure each team has what they need. He tries to honor every request the coaches come to him with, but also stresses the difference between needs and wants.

“We are on a formula where teams get new uniforms every four years,” Williams said. “Every kid who plays a sport at First Flight High School, if

they play for four years, should have a new uniform at some point in their career.”

When it comes to “extras” that a team might be looking for, other funding outside the school athletics budget might come into play.

“The coaches here have been really good about understanding that we do have a limited amount of money,” Williams said. “They’ve gone out and done some individual fundraising on their own if there’s something they wanted to do above and beyond.”

Although the athletic budget never goes into an individual teams account, money that they raise does.

“The teams raise money that goes directly into their account, and then they can do with that as they wish,” Williams said. “A lot of things get purchased by the teams themselves that people think are purchased by the athletic department.”

Furthermore, teams work with the First Flight High School Athletic Booster Club, which raises money to give back to the athletic programs.

“We have a grant and I will try to meet with all the coaches at the beginning of the year,” Booster Club president Jean Freeman said. “They have to get two or three estimates and have to tell us why. Then it goes to Chad to say ‘yes they need this or no’, then it comes to the board of the booster club, and then the coach comes and presents it to the board.”

There is a common misconception that the booster club allocates the majority of its funds to the “popular sports” that have the most fans at each game. In reality, however, almost the opposite is true.

“The one perception that’s out there that is simply not true is that all the money goes to football and basketball,” Freeman said. “In the past five-plus years, I don’t think basketball has come to us. Football came to us for

the first time in 10 years for one thing.”

The money is issued among the teams based on need. Whoever comes to the booster club asking for funds receives it instead of each team having a set amount of money.

This year, the cheer team obtained new cheer mats for its after-school practices in the rotunda, just one example of how teams can raise money and work with the booster club.

“The mats that they had were from when the school opened,” Freeman said. “They were starting to come apart and I was worried for the girls if they’re jumping and the velcro to keep them together came apart, they could have

Of the more than $71 million in the Dare County Schools Operating Budget for 2022-23, just $706,856 is shared among the athletics budgets of the DCS schools. No state money is allotted for athletics. The DCS budget document for athletics states that the purpose of the athletics budget is this: ‘Funds are included to supplement gate receipts to pay for uniform replacement, referees and supplies.’

sprained their ankle. So we did contribute to that.”

Although it’s not always easy to keep every player and coach on every team happy, Lansing stressed the importance of focusing on what the Nighthawks do have.

“We always want more, but I think when we travel to other schools we can all agree on how much we have, and that in a lot of ways we’re fortunate,” Lansing said.

Senior Emma Braithwaite can be reached at 23braithwaiteem06@daretolearn.org.

Senior Allie Nigro can be reached at 23nigroal20@daretolearn.org.

Submitted Photo

Senior tennis player Emmy Benton organizes candy during a shift in the concession stand. Athletes help run concessions at football games as one of the ways they raise money. Money from the county, the Athletics Booster Club and fundraisers support FFHS teams.

Graphic by Mackenzie Edwards/ Nighthawk News

Taekwondo teaches more than just cool kicks

By Stella Bryson Sports Editor

Shawn O’Neill and Chris Rock founded DaeYang Taekwondo when they moved to the Outer Banks 25 years ago. Since then, they’ve taught countless students and have watched clumsy toddlers grow into powerful and coordinated adults.

When senior Katie Kilburn started taking lessons at Dae-Yang Taekwondo eight years ago, she had no idea she would earn a black belt, win titles at tournaments all over Virginia and meet people who would be her friends for years to come.

Kilburn started as a way to be active, because she didn’t like to play team sports.

“My parents thought it would be a good outlet for me to get my energy out,” Kilburn said. “I ended up liking it a lot.”

Everyone seems to join taekwondo for a different reason. Senior Ava Norko started taekwondo because her mom wanted her to learn self defense and improve her strength for other sports. Junior Izzy Fernandez joined because she had some outside influence.

“I started taekwondo because my friend Alyssa (Goulet) begged me to join her,” Fernandez said. “She wanted another friend in the class so she wouldn’t be alone.”

The four of them – Kilburn, Norko, Fernandez and Goulet – met in class one day over seven years ago and the rest is history.

“They’ve been a close group since they were about 8,” O’Neill said. “They’ve grown up working together, pushing each other and competing together.”

As a group of girls who practice together at the same time every week, it’s pretty hard not to become friends.

“We are friends outside of class, but the friendship definitely started because of taekwondo,” Norko said.

For O’Neill, one of the best parts of teaching taekwondo is simply getting to watch her students interact and develop friendships through the sport.

“My favorite memories of them are just watching them in class or at tournaments when they’re being goofy and just hanging out,” O’Neill said.

But, nothing lasts forever. Eventually, kids grow up, and even though you can do taekwondo for your entire life, at some point, the students “graduate” from Dae-Yang Taekwondo. When a student gets their official black belt, they’re still encouraged to return for lessons, but they aren’t technically a student anymore.

Kilburn and Norko both recently passed their official black belt test and now are preparing for the next steps of their lives. Naturally, this means that the close group of girls will be separated.

“It’s always really hard for us when the students go off to college,” O’Neill said. “They come up in groups, and this group has been really close to each other and to us for many years. It’s very bittersweet.”

Every student has a different reason for sticking with taekwondo, but for Fernandez the upsides are wide-ranging.

“It teaches you about respect, allows you to exercise with friends, and is a good way to learn to defend yourself,” she said. “Taekwondo has made me stronger throughout my years of training.”

Taekwondo is also beneficial if you do other sports. Norko plays soccer and fully believes that taekwondo positively affects her performance on the pitch.

“Not only do I get stronger, but taekwondo also helps with my mobility, especially for soccer because

I do a bunch of jumping, turning and skipping movements,” Norko said.

There aren’t just tangible bonuses when it comes to learning taekwondo, or any martial art in general. O’Neill believes that many teenagers should join taekwondo because of the cognitive benefits.

“The physical part is great for them, but it’s also just a good way to lead your life. To always use courtesy and have integrity,” O’Neill said. “When you

start learning those when you’re young, you’ll grow up and see those skills become habits.”

Norko has seen taekwondo help with resiliency and mental toughness.

“Taekwondo definitely makes me stronger, and I think it’s mostly in the physical sense, but there’s also a lot of mental strength that comes with it,” Norko said. “I’ve had to learn how to overcome my fears and improve my focus.”

O’Neill and her husband always make sure to uphold the five tenets of taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. The girls have practiced these traits since they were young.

“There’s a huge mental side of taekwondo,” Kilburn said. “When you’re in a high-pressure situation like a test, you have to just remember to keep everything under control and let your body and mind relax.”

Although it isn’t explicitly stated as one of the five tenants, one word that is commonly associated with taekwondo is respect. Most martial arts place an emphasis on being respectful both on and off the mat.

“There’s a lot of respect involved,” O’Neill said. “You bow when you come in, you bow to your partners. You always want to make sure to show respect to everyone around you, because you’re all working together to get better.”

Over the years, respect has become a shared ideology between students and teachers alike. Bittersweet memories are in the students’ minds as they grow and move on.

“My instructors are really good people and they care about what they do and what they teach us,” Kilburn said. “It’s not just taekwondo, they’ve taught us life lessons.”

Senior Stella Bryson can be reached at 23brysonst69@daretolearn.org.

Submitted Photo

Young taekwondo students pose with their medals after sparring in a match. Students of Dae-Yang Taekwondo learn discipline, respect and hard work during their taekwondo training.

Submitted Photo Senior Katie Kilburn practices a kick on a fellow student at Dae-Yang Taekwondo. Taekwondo teaches many skills beyond the physical aspect of the sport.

Beach volleyball courts are now in session

By Emma Braithwaite Editor-in-Chief

You feel the sand between your toes as the sun shines down. You put on sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself from the rays as a slight breeze momentarily relieves you from the heat. You hear the whistle blow as the other team serves the ball over the net, and the game begins.

The First Flight Beach Volleyball Club is back in action. The club was founded during the 2021-2022 school year due to the sport’s exponential growth in popularity in recent years and started its second season last month.

“Beach volleyball is one of the fastest-growing sports right now, especially in women’s college,” head coach Anna Zappulla said. “And us being on the Outer Banks right by the beach, I think it’s important that we teach this sport.”

In the beach volleyball club’s first year, practices were held at Tortuga’s Lie because First Flight did not have a beach net. Practicing at a pub-

lic court came with challenges, such as the net being the wrong height and the possibility of others using it, so this season, Zappulla decided the team needed its own court.

“I applied for a grant through the North Carolina High School Sand Volleyball Association and I received that grant for $2,000 last year,” Zappulla said. “We also did fundraising last summer. We volunteered at Holy Cow Creamery and they generously donated all cash sales to us the day we helped.”

The new beach volleyball court is located between the softball and baseball fields near First Flight Middle School. The new court has sparked excitement among beach players, such as junior Mackenzie Pappas, who started playing beach volleyball when the club first started.

“The new court is so nice,” Pappas said. “We used to have to play at Tortuga’s on a men’s net, which was terrible.”

In addition to the new net, the beach volleyball club is in a new conference for its second season. The team plays

in the North Beach Conference, which includes Manteo, Currituck, Perquimans and Edenton. In the past, the team had to travel to New Bern for tournaments. This year, however, the team will play at Currituck County High School or at its home court.

“I am very excited we don’t have to travel to New Bern this year because we know the Currituck area better and it’s a shorter drive,” freshman Megan Ward said. “It is also less stress for the freshmen who can’t drive themselves and have to have

their parents take them.”

Interest in the beach volleyball club greatly increased this year in part due to the new equipment and other changes to the team. The team has grown from six to eleven members, almost doubling in numbers from its first season to its second. Beach volleyball is played in pairs, so the top six members, divided into three partnerships, of the team will represent the club in tournaments.

“It’s going to bring us to a different level of competition because we have stronger

players this year,” Zappulla said.

As the beach volleyball team heads into its first tournament of the season, Zappulla is excited about what the future holds for the sport here at FFHS.

“I’m looking forward to teaching young athletes about this sport and showing them that they can be successful,” Zappulla said. “Hopefully, they will take an interest in it and try to play in college.”

Senior Emma Braithwaite can be reached at 23braithwaiteem06@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Anna Zappulla/Special to Nighthawk News

The new beach volleyball court is ready for action near the First Flight baseball field. The FFHS Beach Volleyball Club was founded during the 2021-2022 school year.

Swim team gets big boost from Miller’s diving career

By Vada-Lyn Clark Staff Writer

When you’re the only diver on the swim team, all eyes are on you. The board and pool are yours. You close your eyes, take a deep breath, set aside your fears, remember your training ... and jump.

This is the case for junior Gray Miller, the only diver on the FFHS swim team. Miller expressed how this creates less stress, as he has little competition.

“I am the only diver at this school, meaning I am going to be the top diver on the Outer Banks,” Miller said with excitement.

Although there is no competition within the school itself, being the only diver also can be lonely at times.

“I just went to states (on Feb. 11) and got second place. I had my family and my club coach there with me, but there is nobody my age that I know with me when I compete for the school,” Miller said. “I wish I had others there with me to celebrate, but again, it’s nice because I have no pressure of being beaten.”

Miller has been diving for six years. It started when he was very young by simply playing around at home until it grew into a passion.

“My father would pull up coolers, tables, refrigerators, etc., stack them and I would jump off of them,” Miller said. “Also, both of my sisters have been cheering their whole lives and when I was young, they would teach me tumbling and flips.”

However, because diving is not a common sport, Miller had trouble finding a place where he could develop his skills in the sport. After years of searching for somewhere to dive, he found facilities in the Hampton area. Miller’s parents dedicate more than six hours three days a week to his training, driving him to the facility and back.

Diving is a time-consuming sport for Miller, and not just because the pools are hours away, but because of the dedication it takes. Divers must be able to perform dives in five disciplines: forward, backward, inward, reverse and twisting. All require separate skill sets focusing mostly on balance, strength and flexibility as well as mental focus.

Hampton Aquaplex instructor Jim Burden has coached Miller through his rigorous training for four years.

“At this time, Gray is performing college-level dives in each category and performing them with collegiate-level proficiency,” Burden said.

Miller’s success in this sport is difficult to achieve, especially at such a young age, but he faces challenges head-on. As in every sport, there is a serious risk of injury, but Miller doesn’t

let his fear get in the way of his passion and dreams.

“What I do to get over my fears is just to watch the videos of me doing the dives and figure out what I need to fix,” Miller said.

Calming the mind is something that is also imperative in diving and is something that Miller’s coach stresses for proper performance.

“Overcoming the fear, laser focus and execution is a talent that few athletes possess,” Burden said. “You simply cannot appreciate the difficulty of this sport until you have tried it.”

Miller suffers minor injuries often, cutting his feet, legs, arms and hands. This is because in diving, one is very close to the diving board and certain parts of the body are liable to clip the board.

This can cause complications for divers during competitions. But just like any sport, safety is the No. 1 concern and diving is no exception.

“If blood is anywhere, you are not allowed to stay at the pool and you have to go home. This is for the pool staff’s health,” Miller said.

Despite the danger of the sport, Miller strives for success and allows his passion to override his fears. As a result, he and his coaches are working toward college-level success in his diving career.

“My motivation is my dream of diving in college,” Miller said. “I think it would be an amazing start to going to college because I will automatically be put into a group of people and will make friends quickly. I am very competitive, and diving on the college level sounds and looks amazing.”

Sophomore Vada-Lyn Clark can be reached at 25clarkva97@daretolearn. org.

Submitted Photos

Just before breaking the plane of the water, junior Gray Miller works on a dive during a practice session in Virginia. Following the NCHSAA 3A Diving Championships (left), Miller stands with coach Keith Kopecky and displays the second-place medal and certificate he won.

College Signing Season Isaac Dobie – MIT Basketball

What made you choose MIT? It has super high academics and the coaches wanted me.

What are some of your freshman year hopes? To pass all my classes and hopefully make it to the tournament.

What is your favorite Nighthawk memory? Probably beating Hertford to win conference my freshman year.

What are you most excited for about playing your sport at the collegiate level? Just getting a lot better, practicing in the gym a lot, training, and working out with other college players.

What is your intended major? Civil environmental engineering.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or say about your commitment? All my friends, my family for sure, and everyone along the way.

Come support the Nighthawks at these upcoming spring sports home games!

Baseball

Thursday, March 23 – vs USA Home School, 6

Friday, March 24 – vs Manteo, 7

Friday, March 31 – vs Camden, 7

Tuesday, April 4 – vs Hertford County, 6

Tuesday, April 18 – vs Edenton, 7

Tuesday, April 25 – vs Pasquotank, 7

Monday, May 1 – vs Greenbrier Christian, 5:30

Thursday, May 4 – vs Currituck, 7

Softball

Friday, March 24 – vs Manteo, 7

Monday, March 27 – vs Cape Hatteras, 5

Friday, March 31 – vs Camden, 7

Tuesday, April 18 – vs Edenton, 7

Tuesday, April 25 – vs Pasquotank, 7

Thursday, May 4 – vs Currituck, 7

Men’s Tennis

Tuesday, March 28 – vs Edenton, 4:15

Tuesday, April 4 – vs Northeastern, 4:15

Monday, April 24 – Regional Qualifier hosted by FFHS, 4:15

Women’s Lacrosse

Friday, March 31 – vs White Oak, 5

Monday, April 3 – vs Catholic, 5

Thursday, April 6 – vs Norfolk Academy, 6

Wednesday, April 26 – vs DH Conley, 6

Women’s Soccer

Friday, March 24 – vs Catholic, 5

Wednesday, March 29 – vs Pasquotank, 5

Thursday, March 30 – vs Landstown, 7

Tuesday, April 4 – vs Hickory, 6

Wednesday, April 5 – vs Northeastern, 5

Monday, April 24 – vs Camden, 5

Friday, April 28 – vs Landstown, 6:30

Monday, May 1 – vs Edenton, 5

Monday, May 8 – vs Currituck, 5

Men’s Lacrosse

Thursday, March 30 – vs Ocean Lakes, 5ww

Friday, March 31 – vs Swansboro, 7

Monday, April 3 – JV vs Catholic, 7

Friday, April 7 – vs Atlee, 5

Tuesday, April 18 – JV vs Norfolk Academy, 5

Monday, April 25 – vs Catholic, 6

Track and Field

Wednesday, March 22 – meet with Camden and Pasquotank, 4:30

Wednesday, April 5 – meet with Edenton and Camden, 4:30

Golf

Tuesday, April 25 – host conference match at Sea Scape Golf Links, 2

Home-school students get to join DCS teams

By Kat Gregg Staff Writer

On Jan. 30, the Dare County Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to allow home-schooled students to participate in high school sports teams throughout Dare County. The new policy mean that home-schooled children in grades 9-12 can join varsity and junior varsity sports teams under specific conditions.

While a number of families in the community had been raising this question at Board meetings, this decision also raised multiple questions among First Flight athletes, coaches and parents. Since home-schooled athletes only have to be enrolled in two out of four daily in-person classes, would that mean they are exempt from things that public school students are required to do, like maintaining certain grades and following attendance rules? Would exceptions be made for them when it comes to required vaccinations or drug testing?

Dare County Board of Education members Susan Bothwell, David Twiddy and Mary Ellon Ballance explained their thoughts on the new policy and answered several questions that came with it in an email exchange with Nighthawk News Magazine. We also caught up with Athletic Director Chad Williams to see how the change might specifically impact the Nighthawks.

What was your reason for allowing this policy change?

Susan Bothwell, District 2: We changed our policy because we thought, in all fairness, all students in Dare County should have the choice to participate in sports, and after middle school age, home-schooled students don’t have that option.

Mary Ellon Ballance, District 4: The reason for allowing this policy change for me personally was the ability for us to serve all students of Dare County. It is incumbent upon us as elected officials to the Dare County Board of Education to make sure that we are meeting the needs of all students by giving them an equal opportunity for success both in the classroom and on the athletic field. Sometimes we aren’t able to accomplish that; however, in this case, due to an expressed interest by homeschooled families, we were able to adjust school policies to allow all high school-aged students in Dare County the ability to participate in athletics.

Are home-school parents required to let their children be randomly drug tested like other student-athletes are?

Mary Ellon Ballance: Homeschooled athletes will be required

to do everything that public school students are required to do, including random drug testing. That is why the dual-enrollment piece is so important to the success of this policy. Homeschooled athletes must take two classes that are offered by the school and at least one of those classes must be on campus. Technically they are enrolled in Dare County Schools and must follow the Student Code of Conduct as well as the state enrollment requirements that full-time enrolled students follow, including vaccine requirements.

David Twiddy, District 5: Policy 3104 is based on the requirements for student-athlete participation as determined by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) for eligibility. As such, we had Policy 3104 written to require all athletes, traditionally enrolled or dual-enrolled, to be under the same requirements. If dually enrolled student-athletes are chosen to be on an athletic team, then their names will be entered into the pool for testing just like any other student-athlete. All student-athletes are held to the same requirements.

Susan Bothwell: All students have the same requirements as to grades, attendance, drug testing and vaccinations. Home-schooled students will be expected to follow the same rules that our public school students have.

Can these athletes be placed on academic probation if their grades are too low or they have too many absences?

Mary Ellon Balance: Homeschooled student-athletes can be placed on academic probation. This again goes back to the dual-enrollment piece. Dare County Schools will monitor the grades and attendance for the two classes they are enrolled in; however, it will be up to the parents and coaches to work out an arrangement to coordinate how they are doing in the home-school subjects that parents monitor.

David Twiddy: Dually enrolled student-athletes are enrolled in two of the four courses that are offered on a daily basis in our high schools. One of those courses must be taken on campus. As such, dual-enrolled student-athletes are our high school students and therefore are subject to the same requirements. If our traditional student-athletes can be placed on academic probation, then dually enrolled student-athletes can as well.

How do you hope this decision impacts high school sports teams?

David Twiddy: I absolutely hope it has a positive effect! I feel it offers our teams the opportunity to choose from

a larger pool of potential student-athletes, which could continue to raise the bar in our local athletic programs.

Mary Ellon Ballance: It is my hope that this decision to allow homeschool student participation brings our students and parents together across the community both on and off the field. I personally believe it is important to be a part of something and to be accountable to someone outside the household like a coach or another teammate, for example. When people, or in this case, student-athletes, work together on a team for a common goal, they learn respect, teamwork, honor and pride. It’s so much more than just a game; it is an opportunity to learn skills that increase their ability to be successful in life.

The fear that a flood of homeschooled students would be coming to First Flight to “steal” roster spots away from full-time FFHS students has not come true. Athletic Director Chad Williams said no one in the community had inquired about dual-enrolling to also play sports with the Nighthawks for the spring seasons.

Coach Williams, how have you

seen this new policy impact FFHS?

Chad Williams: There’s really not much of a change from the policy that we already had in place, which was that students had to be enrolled in at least two classes at the high school in order to play athletics. I don’t anticipate us getting a big influx of athletes coming from being home-schooled.

Why pass this new rule? As someone who has coached for over 19 years, how does this policy make you feel?

Chad Williams: The high school athletic association decided to sort of wash its hands of the issue a few years ago and leave it to the local districts whether they want to allow students to play or not. So I think our Board did its due diligence to see what other districts were doing and I think we’ve sort of aligned ourselves with what the state has recommended. So we’re requiring the kids to be in the building, which to me, that’s the most important thing. I think as a coach, as an athletic director, you want to know the students that you have on your teams, and there’s no better way than to make sure that you have eyes on them at some point during the day.

Sophomore Kat Gregg can be reached at 25greggka46@daretolearn.org.

First Flight Sports Spotlight: Q&A with

How long have you been playing tennis? Eight or nine years.

What’s your favorite part about playing? Being with the team so far.

What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? Probably my little brother, because he looks up to me.

Where’s your favorite place to eat before or after a game? Jersey Mike’s.

What’s your favorite thing to do before a game? Listen to music.

What’s your dream job and why? Probably a carpenter because I like to build.

What’s your favorite memory playing tennis? Playing with my mom and dad.

If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be, and why? My grandpa, Tom Brady and Elon Musk, because they’re famous.

What’s your biggest pet peeve? When my brother doesn’t close the door when he leaves my room.

What is a lifelong dream of yours? To live a good life.

What’s your favorite TV show? “Breaking Bad.”

Who is your favorite teacher and why? It was Mr. Godwin last semester because he was super chill.

What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen? “Hacksaw Ridge.”

Go to karaoke song. “Party in the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus.

How long have you been playing softball? I’ve been playing since I was 5.

What’s your favorite part about playing? Being able to try many positions and being with my teammates.

What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? Laney Dexter, because she’s a great team mom and she is always in good spirits.

If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? Help people in need and live a good life.

What is your favorite holiday? Why? I like Christmas because I like to give presents.

What is your biggest pet peeve? When people think they’re better than everyone else.

What is a lifelong dream of yours? To be successful in everything I do.

What’s a fun fact about yourself? I play the ukulele and guitar.

What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen? “Spiderman: Homecoming.”

Best teacher ever? Why? Mrs. Miller, because of her kindness.

What’s your favorite TV show? “H2O Mermaids,” it’s my comfort show.

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Why? A monkey, because they can jump between the trees.

Go-to karaoke song. “Love Is an Open Door” from Frozen.

How long have you been playing baseball? Since I was 4 or 5.

What’s your favorite part about playing? I really enjoy being in a different mindset, and I like being competitive.

What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? Mainly Derek Jeter because he came from a smaller town and he’s one of the biggest players in the MLB ever.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? Chick-fil-A after my games.

What’s your favorite memory playing baseball? Coming in last year against GCA after we got mercy-ruled the game before, closing it, and giving up no runs.

What is your dream job and why? To play in the MLB because I really enjoy it, and I feel like it just keeps you in a younger mindset for longer.

If you became a millionaire by age 20, what would you do with it? I would buy my parents a house.

What is your biggest pet peeve? When somebody doesn’t try to their full potential.

What’s a fun fact about yourself? I have a birthmark in the colored part of my right eye.

If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be? Derek Jeter, Michael Jordan and Kevin Hart.

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Why? A lion because they rule the land.

How long have you been doing track? Since eighth grade.

What’s your favorite part about track? Probably the team. We are all very close and practices are always super fun.

What is your favorite thing to do before a meet? We all get together and listen to Ice Spice before a meet.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a meet? Most of our meets are in Virginia, so probably Chipotle.

What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? When we all went to states, we were all playing Slither.io the day of the meet in the hotel room and it was just really fun.

What is your dream job and why? Probably like a lawyer or detective because I think it would be a really fun job.

If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be, and why? Jennifer Lawence because she is hilarious, Taylor Swift because obviously, and maybe Tyler the Creator.

What is your biggest pet peeve? When people eat very loudly.

What is a lifelong dream of yours? To live somewhere overseas like Hawaii, England or Italy, somewhere like that.

What’s a fun fact about yourself? I throw up when I eat avocado.

What’s your favorite TV show? “Jane the Virgin.”

Go-to karaoke song? “California Gurls” by Katy Perry.

Anthony Vucinovic Freshman

Ashlyn Corey Sophomore

Isaac Miles Junior

Chessa Woods Freshman

Nighthawk spring student-athletes

How long have you been playing golf? A year and a half.

What’s your favorite part about playing? Just being out there alone.

What player (teammate, college or pro) do you look up to the most and why? Gray (Hudspeth). Best friend forever.

What’s your favorite memory playing your sport? My first time playing with my dad. I had never played before. He taught me how to play.

If you could have dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would it be, and why? My mom, my dad and my grandpa.

What is your biggest pet peeve? People chewing on pencils. I hate it.

If you could be any animal, what would it be? Why? A lion, because they rule the jungle.

What is your dream job and why? To play golf professionally.

What’s a fun fact about yourself? I play basketball. I’ll probably try out for junior varsity and 252 next year.

What’s the best movie you’ve ever seen? “Top Gun 2.”

Best teacher ever? Why? (Profe) Leo. He is really funny.

What’s your favorite beach access? Why do you like it? Fifth Street is a great one.

How long have you been playing lacrosse? Since kindergarten.

What is your favorite part about playing lacrosse? My team.

Where is your favorite place to eat before/after a game? Tropical Smoothie.

What player do you look up to the most and why? Charlotte North because she changed the game of lacrosse for women.

What is your favorite memory playing lacrosse? Being able to go to the third round of states last year because we have never done anything like that before.

What’s your dream job and why? Something to do with environmental science and being outside.

What is your favorite holiday and why? Halloween, because you can just have fun and don’t really have to worry about anything.

What’s your biggest pet peeve? When people start talking when you’re talking.

What’s a fun fact about yourself? I play three sports: basketball, lacrosse and tennis.

What’s your favorite TV show? “NCIS.”

What’s your favorite beach access and why do you like it? The street I live on because no one ever goes there.

How long have you been playing lacrosse? Since middle school.

What’s your favorite part about playing lacrosse? Having fun.

What player do you look up to the most or why? Honestly, I look up to my dad. My dad played pro. He always was able to have fun.

What’s your favorite memory playing? When I scored my first goal.

What’s your dream job and why? Architect. Designing things is cool.

If you became a millionaire by age 20 what would you do with it? Go to the middle of nowhere where there are no people.

If you had dinner with any three people (living or dead), who would they be and why? It would have to be one of the Founding Fathers. I want to know what their vision for America was.

What’s your favorite holiday? Christmas, because of presents and family time.

What’s a fun fact about yourself? I’m not very funny.

What’s your favorite TV show? Probably “Manifest” or something.

What’s your favorite beach access? 11th Avenue – it’s the only one I can go to.

What is your go-to karaoke song? I don’t do karaoke.

How long have you been playing soccer? 10 or 11 years.

What is your favorite part about playing? I just really enjoy the game in general and I think it’s really fun and exciting. I like how you have to work with the team to make plays.

What teammate, college player or pro do you look up to? Probably Alex Morgan because she is a really good player.

What is your favorite memory playing your sport? The time I accidentally sent someone to the emergency room.

What is your dream job and why? Probably a wildlife biologist because I want to work with animals.

If you could have any dinner with any person living or dead, who would it be and why? My greatgrandmother because I don’t have any memories of her.

What is your favorite holiday? I like Christmas because that’s when I get to see all of my family.

What’s your biggest pet peeve? When people just don’t listen and you have to keep repeating yourself.

If you could be an animal, what would it be? I would be a giraffe because I think it would be really cool to be that high up.

What is your go-to karaoke song? “Party in the U.S.A.”

Photos by Hunter Braithwaite, Foster Guns and Anna Rogers

Reporting by Mackenzie Edwards, Kat Gregg, Foster Guns, Annie Heath, Audrey Lovell and Bella Sarbora

Carter White Freshman

Kellen Morris Junior

Reid Cerino Freshman

Isabella Thorn Junior