Senior Edition 2018 Nighthawk News Magazine by Steve Hanf

The Senior Edition NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

ON THE COVER

or every other edition of Nighthawk News this year, writing about our inspiration for the paper has been easy. From DACA to mental health to gun control, we feel that the central idea behind each edition has not only been undisputed, but obvious: awareness. This year, Nighthawk News has been about awareness, about pushing boundaries and giving a voice to those who are brushed aside and marginalized. But this edition is a little different. We are celebrating something that gives people a mixed sense of pride and discomfort – change. The Senior Edition is about reflecting on the past and highlighting just how much we’ve all grown throughout the years. This edition is centered around the question, “What’s next?” and that’s a phrase that makes many of us squirm, because in the back of our minds, our own discomfort manifests into a silent reply, “I don’t know.” At 17, 18 and 19 years old, we don’t know what’s next for us – and that’s OK. But in the meantime, as graduation creeps closer and closer, we can focus on the memories, experiences and lessons that make each of us unique. From Sawyer Sanchez, who beat the odds after being diagnosed with leukemia to Tea Davis, who discovered her interest in special education to Bryce Pugh, who took Wright Flight to heart to Emma Bancroft, who’s not your average valedictorian, the Class of 2018 is one to remember, and this edition is dedicated to all 164 of us. Shooting for the true Carolina blue skies of the Outer Banks, our first photoshoot was rescheduled due to clouds. For the redo, we gathered in the parking lot of Kitty Hawk Pier. As each car pulled up and our fellow seniors piled out, we couldn’t help but feel nostalgic, and maybe even a little regretful – had we really only spoken a few words to some of these people in the past four years? For most, the answer was, sadly, yes. But this lack of connection with many of our classmates made us appreciate our close friendships even more, and more importantly, it reminded us to build relationships with those different from us as we move forward in life. While the wind twirled our navy gowns about us and some NHS stoles threatened to fly away altogether, we made our way down to the beach. Kitty Hawk Pier seemed

WHAT’S INSIDE the ideal location for the cover photo because it’s quintessential Outer Banks. With the rustic Coca Cola sign emblazoned on its forefront and its barnacle-laden pilings underneath, the pier boasts its own maturity and welcomes the evolving nature of our small community by hosting weddings, church services and hoards of tourists. In a way, KHP symbolizes exactly what this edition is all about – old meeting new. As Arabella placed everyone in their spots – and politely asked a few beachgoers to move their towels and coolers a couple feet to the right – you could hear bits and pieces of chatter all about. “Ugh, these gowns are so hot.” “Wow! You have so many cords.” “Do I really have to sorority squat?” “Aw, y’all this is so sad!” Juniors Ben Tran and Buzzy Staten took their test shots before we were joined by senior class president Savannah Wallace. We half-giggled, half-sympathized as she teared up while explaining that she had hit a squirrel on her way here – with her iconic squirrel costume riding shotgun. As if June 8 had already arrived, we tossed our caps in the air in celebration, and that moment resulted in our cover. In that moment in time, nothing had changed – our hats made of glorified cardboard sailed into the air and we later tossed them in our trunks with sand still stuck in the brim – but as we pulled out of the parking lot to leave, it slowly started to sink in. In just a few weeks, graduation would be real, and everything would change. We were just weeks away from this symbolic gesture actually meaning something. With this change so near, we’d like to take time to thank everyone who has helped Nighthawk News grow into what it is today. Thank you Mr. Hanf for not only being the best teacher a student could ask for, but an amazing mentor, leader and a great friend. Thank you to the Nighthawk News staff for accepting your new EICs this year with open arms and sticking with us even when we introduced some of our own changes. Thank you to the past editors for showing us the way. Thank you Buzzy, Michaela, Payton, Hayley, Madison, Ben and Aaron Jennings for taking awe-inspiring photos for each edition. Thank you Dagen for being our graphic designer extraordinaire. Thank you Lauren, Karsen, Hunter, Vega

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Learn more about First Flight’s seniors

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College map

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Can you guess these seniors?

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Women in STEM, options at COA

30-31

Greek life, junior marshals, CTE courses

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Sexual assault on college campuses

34-35

Bidding farewell to loved FFHS staffers

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Our view: Staff Ed, Hawk Talk, letters

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Roommate struggle, graduation speech

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Ashley Mercer: loud on the sidelines

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Wrestling rivalry, Hughes goes big

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Men’s lacrosse has special season

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FFHS Sports Cards - Collect them all!

and Jackie for bringing our ideas to life through your illustrations and graphics. Thank you to all the local businesses who make this paper possible through advertisements. And most importantly, thank you to all the students, staff and community members for letting us tell your stories – you give us a purpose. Nighthawk News Forever. – The Editors

Photos by Buzzy Staten and Ben Tran/Nighthawk News (Top) Seniors pose on Kitty Hawk Pier following the cover shot. (Left) Senior Savannah Wallace strikes a pose in her iconic squirrel costume. Meghan Savona photo-bombs Mollee Sinks and Jessica Steagall as Emma Strickland attempts to snap an Instagram-worthy photo. summer / / 2018

Graduation shifts to 7 p.m. By Kejsi Zyka and Izzy Requa Staff Writers

lash, click! Flash, click! The moment has finally arrived. Your proud family and friends have their cameras and cell phones out and are ready to click away. But by the time your name is called, the sun has already gone down, and your mom is stuck with a blurry, dark image of what is most likely you. In the past, graduation started at 7:30 p.m.; however, this year’s graduation start time has been moved to 7 p.m. due to recent complaints from parents about the darkness. Guidance Office secretary Debbie Mitchell believes the change will make for a more picturesque ceremony. “When you’re in the audience, you’re just proud of your kid, and you want to take a good picture of them, but how can you really do that if it’s pitch black outside and the lighting is terrible?” Mitchell said. “Around 7 p.m., you also get a really beautiful sunset background, and that’s great for pictures.” Earlier in the school’s history, the graduation time was scheduled later because administration incorporated fireworks after the ceremony, but this idea of a luminous spectacle was shut down due to safety concerns. “The firework idea was later disallowed because of a safety code violation with the teacher houses being so close,” Mitchell said. English teacher and graduation coordinator Crissie Weeks thought it was important to spread the word about this recent change. Several students missing a major milestone in their lives due to a time change is not on the agenda for this year’s

Friday, June 8 Schedule of Events 9:30 a.m. – Mandatory graduation practice at Warren C. Judge III Memorial Field at FFHS. 6:15 p.m. – All graduates arrive at Warren C. Judge III Memorial Field to run through graduation one last time. Arrive with your gown folded neatly over your arm and be carrying your cap, tassel, cords and stoles.

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7 p.m. – Graduation begins. graduation. “We are doing all we can do to prevent students from arriving late,” Weeks said. “But if it were to happen, it would be very stressful.” For senior Anthony Molina, there was no problem with the change in time. He was pleasantly surprised to graduate earlier than before. “I think it’s fine. Although I admit, it takes too long,” Molina said. “I get that we’re graduating, but it doesn’t have to be this huge long process.” So when the moment comes and you’re ready to put on your cap and gown and head straight to the high school, just remember: Don’t show up 30 minutes late. Sophomores Kejsi Zyka and Izzy Requa can be reached at zykake0914@daretolearn.org and requais0227@daretolearn.org.

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Tragedy strikes twice, but Tomblin strikes back

By Beverly Murry Editor-in-Chief

enior Sloan Tomblin hasn’t seen her mom in six months. Wendy Tomblin lost the use of her legs after falling off a balcony when Sloan was a toddler, forcing her to live the rest of her life as a paraplegic. Since that fateful night, the two have been separated: Wendy left for Akron, Ohio, to live closer to family as well as better hospitals while Sloan stayed with her newly single father, Dale, on the Outer Banks. Though a distance of nearly 650 miles stands between them, the mother-daughter duo has managed to keep a strong bond while living largely separate lives. “When I was little, it was really difﬁcult because I didn’t know how to paint my nails or shave my legs, all that little stuff. But I had friends who showed me,” Tomblin recalled. “Ever since seventh or eighth grade, we talked on the phone multiple times a day and I’ve always seen her twice a year, during the summer and at Christmas. As I got into high school, I started working and I stopped going in the summer and I only see her at Christmas.” As the leaves fall and temperature drops, Tomblin will move to Akron to work as her mother’s aide. With some of the money she earns from assisting her mom, she’ll put herself through college at the University of Akron’s Wayne College. “I won’t really do much because she likes to do all of the cooking and cleaning because it gives her something to do,” Tomblin said. “So I’ll do things she can’t do like drive her to her doctor’s appointments, get the mail and go to the store.” Tomblin looks forward to moving away from the small town that she was raised in and to strengthening her relationship with her mom. “(My mom) is obviously not in the best of health so I want this time to make up for the lost time we’ve had so I never regret that later on,” Tomblin said. “If I went to a college like everybody else and something were to happen to her, I would feel really bad, like I never got that time.” Like most incoming freshmen, Tomblin feels mixed emotion of nerves and excitement as she prepares to move to a new town and meet new people. Her decision to attend college not only affects her, but her family, too. “I’ll be the ﬁrst one going to

Photo (right) by Buzzy Staten/Nighthawk News Sloan Tomblin stands with her family on the football ﬁeld during Senior Night. Tomblin plans on living with her mother in Ohio and helping her while going to college. Mom and daughter look forward to happy times together, such as the above photo from prom in 2017. college in my family because my parents didn’t go and neither did my brothers, so I think this is a big step for my family as well as myself,” Tomblin said proudly. Since elementary school, senior Brigid O’Neil and Tomblin have been best friends – the two are often found joking and laughing together to escape the problems each other faced. Even through Tomblin’s hardships, her persevering work ethic inspires O’Neil. “I’ve never met someone who is so genuine and cared so much about her education. She really works hard and I don’t think her grades always show that,” O’Neil said. “I’m really proud of her. It’s crazy that she’s going to college now and she never thought she would.” Tragedy has struck the Tomblin family more than once. In 2015, Sloan’s eldest brother Jordan died after a confrontation with Ohio police, a senseless death that left the family reeling. Jordan lived separate from Sloan and another brother, Destin, with his mother when the incident occurred. “He was sick, had food poisoning and he hadn’t eaten or had anything to drink so he was dehydrated and kind of hallucinating,” Tomblin explained. “He walked out of my mom’s house and got in the back of his neighbor’s car and was like, ‘All right, let’s go,’ and the guy was like, ‘Get out of my car.’ My mom called the police and was like, ‘Hey, help him, don’t hurt him’ and then they ended up tazing him until his heart stopped.” Jordan’s death pushed Tomblin to learn more about police brutal-

ity. She did her senior project on the topic in order to educate her peers. “I’m doing my senior project on the racism within police brutality – not saying all cops are out to get us, but I think it’s an issue that can easily be prevented and I don’t know why it’s this big of an issue,” Tomblin said. Out of the sadness and confusion comes a silver lining for the Tomblin family, especially for Sloan’s ﬁnancial future. “My family doesn’t really have the money to send me to college, but I actually found out recently that with Jordan, the way he died, it was taken to court and we found out we were going to get a ton of money,” Tomblin said. “So now I’ll be able to pay for college. Now I have that chance.” Having the money is an unexpected bonus that the family is thankful to have, but it doesn’t replace the absence left by Jordan’s untimely death.

“It’s not about the money. It’s about them admitting they were wrong, and the money obviously helps because if anything Jordan would want to provide for us,” Tomblin added. “Which is something he couldn’t do when he was here and knowing that he did that for us, since we can’t have him here it’s the next best thing.” Though her life has not always been easy, Tomblin continues to be persistent through whatever life has thrown her way. While her mom has not regularly been a physical presence in her life, her words helped Tomblin through the good, bad and ugly realities of life. “She’s so great: She’s such a nice lady and she’s so real,” Tomblin said. “I think because she was never my parent, she never had to enforce any rules, so she’s more of a friend and I needed that more than I needed a parent.” Senior Beverly Murry can be reached at murrybe0316@daretolearn.org.

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Davis answers the call to help others

By Izzy Requa Staff Writer

enior Tea Davis has always known that she wanted to work with kids, and now she is excited to pursue a career

in it. “I plan to work in foster care,” Davis said. “I would be responsible for placing kids in bad situations in better foster homes, or checking in with their foster parents and making sure everything is OK and they are still doing good.” Davis chose to research foster care for her senior project. After weeks of annotations and reading articles, Davis found her calling. “My senior project is what made me realize that I wanted to work in foster care,” Davis said. “It was on the effects of losing a parent. One of the solutions when you lose both parents is foster care and a lot of kids in foster care don’t end up on the right path.” Davis has always had a calling to help others, and her love for working with children made her decide to help kids that maybe can’t always help themselves. “I think everybody in life just deserves an opportunity and kids don’t really get the opportunity they deserve because they can’t do it on their own, so I’m trying to help them reach their full potential,” she said. Davis has spent her years in high school preparing for her future career by working with the students in Special Education classes. “Every day is a different day and you never know what’s going to happen. I’m with them from first period all the way to Empower Time almost every day, and you just never know what to expect

from them,” Davis said. Although Davis loves working with her students, challenges can arise in the classroom. “I hate watching them struggle and knowing that they are capable of doing it, but still feeling the urge to help them and knowing I can’t. It kills me every time,” she said. Special Education teacher Samantha Iulo has worked with Davis throughout her senior year, and is grateful for the compassion and support she brought to the classroom. “She has been a peer tutor in my class since the first day of school,” Iulo said. “Tea is very patient and understanding and compassionate. She sees the ability of the students and she really is able to understand that they can achieve their goals and have success, and she is very supportive.” Davis loves to support her students, and is thankful for her own support group at home. “My two younger sisters have supported me with every decision I’ve made in life and just any problem I have, they are always there,” Davis said. Davis will be attending Pitt Community College for two years, and is planning to transfer to a university afterward to major in social work. Davis will always remember the lessons the students taught her. “I tell people I am technically a teacher assistant and I am supposed to help with their education, but I’ve learned more from them than I have from any teacher,” Davis said. “I’ve learned so much more from them than they could ever learn from me.” Sophomore Izzy Requa can be reached at requais0227@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Buzzy Staten Nighthawk News Senior Tea Davis works on a math lesson with freshman Jadyn McPherson. Davis has always had a passion for helping others and says that kids like McPherson have taught her so much more than she has taught them.

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Parsons prevails with positivity despite hardships

By Gray Tillett Staff Writer

or most people, middle school does not bring fond memories. Senior Timmy Parsons knows just how hard middle school can be because of the intense bullying he underwent while his peers were trying to find themselves. Since birth, Parsons has had a speech impediment. In sixth grade, he had an assignment to read out loud from a book of his choice. The book was about a young girl who had a disability. He explained to the class that he related to the girl, because he too had been bullied for his speech impediment his entire life. Still, the bullying did not stop as people would constantly imitate the way he spoke. Instead of lashing out, Parsons took the lessons he had learned from his faith and his family, ignoring those who bullied him. “Do as to others as you want done to yourself,” Parsons explained. “I try not to lash out on people because I want to show the younger kids at church a leader to look up to.” Parsons has shown his peers that although you may struggle with something, you don’t have to sink to the level of those bullying you. Instead, you must rise above them. Parsons’ younger sister, Sara, knows just how much her brother has struggled when it comes to speaking. However, she has never seen him act negatively toward someone who mocked him. “The younger kids in youth group can tell that his speech is different, but they understand that he has gotten to that point of where he is not letting the mocking

Photo by Buzzy Staten/Nighthawk News Timmy Parsons presents his senior project in Hunter Wills’ English class. Speaking in front of others hasn’t always been easy for Parsons due to a speech impediment, but he has persevered thanks to his faith, family and friends. hurt him,” Sara said. Many people in Parsons’ life have noticed his strength, including his mother, Edie. She has been a major influence on her son and how he reacts when it comes to bullying. In place of hate, she has encouraged him to love. “Don’t take it personally,” Edie said. “Be honest with people and say, ‘I was born this way and this is

who I am.’ ” Being taught to embrace love instead of hate has helped Timmy rise above anyone who tries to stand in his way. “Just like in the Bible, Luke 6:29, when someone hits one cheek, give them the other one, too,” Edie said. Friends of Parsons admit they would not maintain their compo-

sure as well as he does if they were to be bullied, but they respect him for staying true to who he is. “He knows other people’s words shouldn’t affect who is he or how he acts,” said junior Evan McCrory, a close friend of Parsons. “By not lashing out, it shows a great deal of discipline he has and to keep carrying on with his day.” Parsons’ youth pastor, Jamie Smith, has seen the same discipline that McCrory describes. He has know Parsons since 2009 and considers him a role model to everyone he meets. “I’ve always seen Timmy respond with gentleness. I see Timmy willing to share his faith even at times when it’s difficult to communicate,” Smith said. Parsons, willing to speak in front of Rise – a local youth group with nearly 115 in attendance a week – lets no disability discourage him. “He has been an example of a guy who is willing to face adversity, not be a coward, and not allow other people to dictate who he is, because of his faith,” Smith said. “Timmy knows who he is and he has courage to do the things God has called him to do.” Parsons is going to the College of the Albemarle for his associate degree, then is planning to get his bachelor’s degree in biology at Appalachian State University. His friends and family feel confident that just like he has prevailed over others who try to bring him down, he will succeed in his future endeavors as well. “Timmy has shown us all an example of how you don’t have to repay evil with evil,” Smith said. Sophomore Gray Tillett can be reached at tillettgr1214@daretolearn.org.

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Greeley gears up to get people grubbin’ By Dair McNinch Staff Writer

ost professionals have some consequential event that helps them realize what it was they were put here to get done in life. For senior Raejahn Greeley, however, his mind was made up the second his uncle showed him how to make “some mean Mickey Mouse pancakes.” “I got into it when I was young. I loved cooking,” Greeley said. “My uncle Syiad started teaching me how to cook and teaching me all these different ways and other recipes you could do, and I just fell in love with it right there.” Because of this early exposure, the realization to Greeley came early and stuck. “Everybody’s gotta eat. Being a chef or a cook, you’ve got a job,” Greeley said. “It’s all just about what kind of chef you are and how good you are at it.” Because Greeley’s passion for culinary arts has only expanded since he began cooking with his uncle, the variety and difﬁculty of the food he makes has increased as well. “My favorite thing to make now would have to be my prime rib. It’s hard, but it’s all just about how you do it and how you work the temperature,” Greeley said. While Greeley has worked in local restaurants for the last couple of years as a busser, he credits most of his gained cooking experience to culinary classes and cooking for himself whenever he could. “I took both Culinary I and II and ended up learning a good amount from those classes, honestly,” Greeley said. Taking both culinary classes

Photo by Payton Gaddy/Shorelines Yearbook Senior Raejahn Greeley measures cocoa powder while baking in the First Flight culinary classroom. The senior found his passion for culinary arts early in life and plans to expand on his skills following graduation. offered by First Flight meant Greeley had an hour and a half class to practice his craft each day for half the time he was in high school. According to his teacher, Lisa Muglia, he not only used that time to get better, but to go above and beyond what was expected of him. “He’s always had a knack with working with others,” Muglia said. “But when he was the only one taking Culinary II, he did a great deal of peer tutoring and showed a natural ability to be good with people.” Along with learning more

about his passion and assuming a leadership role in the class, Greeley was recently moved from busser to line cook at Rooster’s Southern Kitchen. After receiving his first real job as a cook, he’s now earning quality first-hand experience whipping up chicken and waffles, turkey pot pie and everything in between. Now, he’s already looking into what the next step in his dream to become a chef will be. “I’m gonna ride it out. Most likely I’ll attend a community college and get some experience there

before going to an actual culinary school,” Greeley said. Whatever culinary path Greeley ends up taking, he’ll be doing what makes him happy. And based on what he’s showed to those who have worked with him along the way, he has the potential to go as far as he decides. “He’s a hard worker and has a great skill set for culinary applications,” Muglia said. “I think he’d be great at it.” Junior Dair McNinch can be reached at mcninchle1121@daretolearn.org.

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Pugh navigates his future as an aviator

By Cassidy O’Neil Online Editor

enior Bryce Pugh flew through First Flight Elementary’s Wright Flight program, an initiative designed to give students the opportunity to get interested in aviation. Since then, he’s been hooked on the world of air travel. “Back in fifth grade at my elementary school, we took a series of tests and quizzes and if you passed all of them with 80 percent or higher, you got to go for a ride in an airplane,” Pugh said. “And ever since then I’ve always wanted to fly.” Following his experience with Wright Flight, Pugh became interested in flying hang gliders, a pastime he picked up from his father. “That’s when I said, ‘I want to do something bigger and better,’ so I got into flying airplanes last October,” Pugh said. Following this decision, Pugh began the long journey of obtaining his pilot’s license, a task that requires 40 hours of flying, 10 of which have to be recorded without an instructor. “It’s not as hard as everyone thinks. I feel the hardest part is building your confidence on the radio, and you have to remember a lot,” he said. Pugh spent hours in the sky learning the ins and outs of flying. He flew alongside his instructor, Luke Williams, who helped him improve his confidence. “Bryce is a real quick learner. He’s a natural,” Williams said. “There are two types of airplanes we fly: a tricycle gear and a tailwheel, and we actually threw him in a tailwheel with one of our instructors and that airplane is much harder to fly, and he immediately excelled at that.” After obtaining his license, Pugh has continued to fly and perfect his skills with many different drills and techniques. In total, he’s racked up 66 hours in the sky. “Once you get everything down on how to fly the airplane, you start learning the more technical stuff, all the rules and regulations, how to read maps, how to talk to airports,” Pugh said. Pugh plans to attend UNC Charlotte, where he will major in mechanical engineering. This is all in preparation for a career in flying commercial airliners. “My end goal is to be a commer-

Photo submitted by Bryce Pugh Senior Bryce Pugh fuels up his plane before taking off. Pugh obtained his pilot’s license this past year and hopes to one day become a commercial pilot. cial airlines pilot, but you have to have 1,500 hours to take your commercial airlines test,” he said. “And that’s no easy task. It usually takes people five to six years to obtain that kind of flying time.” Pugh describes that amount of time as “impractical.” However, he has an idea that satisfies two things he is passionate about: his country, and flying planes. “I feel like I’m obligated to serve my country, because of all the rights and abilities we have here, so I figured I could kill two birds with one stone and do the Air Force and gain flying time, and get the experience I need to fly commercial airlines,” Pugh said. Pugh makes a point to fly regularly in order to collect as many hours in the cockpit as he needs. Each hour is another step in achieving his lifelong dream of flying a commercial airliner. “It’s kinda indescribable – you can go wherever you want to go, there’s no one telling you where you can and cannot go,” Pugh said. “Every time I get on the runway I ask myself, ‘What am I going to do today?’ and then I take off and go wherever I want.” Junior Cassidy O’Neil can be reached at o’neilca1210@daretolearn.org.

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AMERICORPS HELPS GUNZENHAUSER BE THE GREATER GOOD

By Alex Rodman Editor-in-Chief

ower tools, budgeting, 15-passenger vans and Iowa are a few of the constants that will make up senior Katie Gunzenhauser’s summer. This July, she will join approximately 80,000 citizens in the Americorps National Civilian Community Corps. Americorps NCCC is a handson residential service program in which young adults, ages 18-24, work with small groups to strengthen communities through national service projects. Members are provided with lodging, uniforms and monthly stipends for other supplies. Gunzenhauser believes the program will not only allow her “to see a different corner of the world,” but will also provide a beneficial step to transition into the next stage of her life. “I didn’t really know at first. It was kind of a process of me figuring out that maybe I’m not ready for college next year and maybe there would be a good step in between,” Gunzenhauser said. “Then once I got in (to Americorps) it just kind of followed from there. It was like, ‘I don’t know why I wouldn’t do it.’ ” After her acceptance into the program, Gunzenhauser was randomly placed into the “Midwest” region. On July 24, she will fly to Iowa, the Midwest headquarters, to train for two weeks – learning diversity and leadership skills, CPR certification, disaster relief and more – before being discharged into the area. “I’m excited to be in a style of life where I’ll be doing different stuff

Photo by Alex Rodman/Nighthawk News Senior Katie Gunzenhauser reaches for a piece of plastic during a beach cleanup at Asheville Street. Rather than heading straight to college, she will continue her volunteer work through the Americorps program starting this July. every single day, getting sent different places and not getting stuck in a routine endlessly,” Gunzenhauser said. “I’ll be in the Midwest which is, I think, good. It may sound lame, but I’ve never been there.” Unlike many other gap-year programs, Americorps focuses on development within the United States. The program works closely with issues such as infrastructure improvement, energy and environmental conservation, natural disasters, urban and rural development and more. “Everyone wants to help foreign places, but people need help here,

too. There’s so much that you could be doing,” Gunzenhauser explained. “You could be working with different non-government organizations like Habitat for Humanity, so you could be building houses. You could be working with homeless school children, building trails, preventing forest ﬁres or stuff like that.” Despite the real-world experience that she will be exposed to, she can’t help but feel excluded from the traditional struggles of her peers. “I feel like everyone is picking their roommate and stuff and I kinda wish that I were,” Gunzenhauser

said. “I know that it’s just delayed, so it’s not so bad – it’s not like I am totally missing out.” In fact, after her 10 months with Americorps, Gunzenhauser hopes to attend UNC Charlotte. With the completion of her service term, she is also eligible to receive the Segal Americorps Education Award, which matches the maximum Pell Grant amount of $5,960. “This year I know I’ve kind of checked out of school,” Gunzenhauser said. “I know I want to go back to school, but I think I might need that little break, to help ﬁgure out what I want to do and why.” Kill Devil Hills Ocean Rescue Supervisor David Elder has known and worked with Gunzenhauser for roughly three years. Elder participated in the Peace Corps – a similar international volunteer organization – and has no doubt that she will thrive in a service program. “Katie ﬁts wherever she wants to be,” Elder said. She comes on very, very slow and has these wonderful sparks of energy. Her energy is irrepressible and it’s self-procreating.” Gunzenhauser is both excited and nervous for the unpredictability that comes with the next year of her life. But, more importantly, she welcomes the opportunity that she will have to “do good.” “Sometimes it’s easier to do things for other people than do things for yourself,” Gunzenhauser explained. “I know that in the future I want to do something that is good for other people and I feel like this is introducing me to doing stuff for others, so this is the beginning of that.” Senior Alex Rodman can be reached at rodmanal0704@daretolearn.org.

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Thanks for making the 2018 Shorelines our most successful book ever with more than 400 copies sold! A limited number of FFHS yearbooks from past school years remain available. These older editions are just $25! Contact adviser Steve Hanf to see if we have a copy of a yearbook missing from your collection: hanfst@daretolearn.org

Emma Bancroft: more than 1520 and a 5.0

By Arabella Saunders Editor-in-Chief

enior Emma Bancroft’s college resume is impressive. Nine AP classes, National Merit Scholar, co-founder of NC Teen Democrats club, employee, 5.016 GPA, 1520 SAT score and now, valedictorian. Beyond the titles and awards, however, lies a fierce lover of naps, a puzzle aficionado, a Ben & Jerry’s Tonight Dough fanatic, a Tetris superstar and much more. “I do enjoy just sitting down and doing a puzzle, or me and my family have always played cards together during Thanksgiving,” Bancroft said. “I never wanted to spend all my time studying, or doing school all the time because that’s draining. I like doing normal teenager things and not just have my head in a book at all times.” While the senior values quality time with friends and family, those Thanksgiving card tournaments and friendly beach dates at Nags Head Pier didn’t land her a spot in the Class of 2022 at UNC Chapel Hill. Rather, it was her undeniable drive and passion for learning that caused Bancroft to shine not only in the college application process, but to her peers and teachers as well. “The thing with Emma is she’s always known that she can do the work. She’s never shied away from doing the hard work. However, the growth I’ve seen in her is not just doing the work, but taking pride in what she’s done,” English teacher Joel Mount said. “Being able to be proud of what you’ve accomplished because you’ve put work into it, that’s where the maturity really comes from, and that’s something I can’t say about a lot of students. It’s very few students who actually graduate with that maturity, like, ‘Yes, you’ve assigned me this project, but what can I also get from this project that I can actually use later on?’ ” For Bancroft, this desire to gain more from her schoolwork than an A-plus arose at a young age. “I honestly don’t know what it was. I think I thought it was fun to challenge myself. It was always like I was battling myself to see what I could do and see what I could learn,” she said. Although her affinity for both math and English came naturally, Bancroft’s high school experience has not been smooth sailing. In her junior year, Bancroft took on the course load of four AP classes, two COA dual-enrollment courses and membership in both Environmental Club and NC Teen Democrats, all while balancing two jobs. “Working has definitely taught me that to be able to get things on your own and be independent, you have to work really hard,” she said. “My parents have always let me be independent because they aren’t able to just give me money all the time, so being able to work for myself has taught me to be independent and will really help me once I am living on my own.” This same drive to work hard and become independent has also pushed Bancroft to advocate for others who may not enjoy the same rights and privileges as she holds. The senior describes herself as an activist and hopes to continue her work with social justice and human rights issues at Chapel Hill. “The Women’s Rally on Raleigh was very motivational and inspiring to see how many people really care about women’s rights and about minorities’ rights in general,” Bancroft recalled. “Being with that amount of people in a large area made me want to come back to

Photo by Buzzy Staten/Nighthawk News Senior Emma Bancroft poses with her cap and gown. Bancroft is the valedictorian of the Class of 2018 and will attend UNC Chapel Hill. our small community with those same ideas. I would definitely like to continue things like that in college.” Although Bancroft has a passion for activism, she admits that her interest in social issues has made choosing an academic path in college even harder. With a knack for BC Calculus, AP English Literature and almost everything else in between, deciding on an intended major has been a challenge. “I have no idea (what I want to major in),” Bancroft said. “I applied undecided. It could range from math to political science to English. As of now, I don’t want to do anything in the medical field, but that could definitely change.” Still, Bancroft feels sure she will eventually find her place at UNC. In the meantime, the senior plans to focus on her job, her friends, her family and of course, her graduation speech. “I want it to not be all serious because we know in the past that people’s speeches can be very ‘interesting’ if they are all serious,” Bancroft said with a laugh. “I do want to leave with some advice that would be valuable to people, though.” As graduation quickly approaches, members of the Class of 2018 are reflecting on their time at First Flight – what they wish to always remember as well as what they hope to be remembered by. Salutatorian Crewe Douglas believes that Bancroft exemplifies these parting thoughts. “Emma is determined to succeed in whatever she does. Whether it’s in school or in the community, she makes her mark and that’s why I believe she represents the Class of 2018 so well,” he said. “(When I found out she was valedictorian) I thought, ‘If anyone were in that position, I’d want it to be her.’ ” Senior Arabella Saunders can be reached at saundersar0214@daretolearn.org. summer / / 2018

Consistent Coleman called to serve By Meghan Savona Opinions Editor

onsistent. That’s how most people would describe senior Jack Coleman. Above all other things, he has been consistent — almost to the point of obsession. Among the unpredictability of high school, there is always one thing that students can count on: Coleman will be in class, and he will be wearing a white T-shirt. Beginning in third grade, Coleman began striving for perfect attendance. Coincidentally, he also started wearing white T-shirts every day. “I remember in elementary school people would make fun of me for it,” Coleman said. “I was bullied a lot.” Instead of being negatively affected by people’s reactions to his consistency, Coleman remained steadfast. In high school, his classmates began to appreciate Coleman’s uniqueness. His outﬁt has become a recognized staple, and his yearbook quote has become well-known around the school: “Say white T-shirt three times in the mirror and I’ll appear.” Last year, Coleman began growing his hair out. From a buzz cut at the end of sophomore year, Coleman returned to school in August with shoulder-length hair. Again, he hasn’t cut it since he made the decision to grow it out. Coleman had no plans to be changing his habits – until this summer. After taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test junior year, Coleman didn’t think much of it. While he didn’t have a solid idea of what he wanted to do in the future, Coleman had planned on going to Appalachian State to try and ﬁgure out what he wanted to major in. “This summer, a recruiter came to my house and offered me the nuclear program and said, ‘Hey, you scored an 88 on the ASVAB, that means you’re eligible for this contract,’ which is apparently the hardest contract to get in the Navy,” Coleman explained. With the average score of a high school student being a 23, Coleman immediately caught the eye of the military, and he discovered a talent that he didn’t even know he had. After thinking the offer over and learning more about what he would be doing,

Coleman accepted. “I’ll be servicing, maintaining and designing future nuclear reactors on nuclear-powered vessels such as submarines, aircraft carriers, destroyers, land bases,” Coleman said. Getting acquainted with military life will be quite a contrast to what Coleman is used to. Already this year, Coleman’s had to break his perfect attendance to pass the military health exam and to be sworn in. Quiet about his personal life, some of Coleman’s classmates were shocked when he didn’t show up to class those days. “He’s had perfect attendance since elementary school,” classmate Brianna Acuna said. “It was immediately noticeable when he wasn’t there, because he’s always the first one at the door. We asked Ms. B immediately where he was – we were very concerned.” After learning about where he was, his classmates were excited to hear more about what he’d be doing. “He’s doing something that he really likes, which is awesome. He is very interested in it and he’s so smart. He’ll fit in perfectly,” Acuna said. In November, Coleman will also be forced to trade in his signature white T-shirt and drawstring shorts ensemble for a military uniform, which requires a buzzcut. Two weeks before shipping out to Illinois, where the only Navy recruit center is, Coleman plans on chopping off his hair. “I’m probably going to donate my hair a week or two before I go,” he said. Another thing throwing Coleman for a loop is graduation; standard high school graduation apparel usually includes pants, not drawstring basketball shorts. “I probably won’t be caught in khakis,” Coleman joked. “If it’s absolutely required of me, I have a pair of khakis I had when I swore into the Navy because that’s an achievement. High school is not.” Coleman’s quirks that he was bullied for in elementary and middle school are now the same characteristics that qualified him for a top-paying job in the Navy. Despite having to change some of his deeply ingrained habits, Coleman believes it will definitely be worth it. Senior Meghan Savona can be reached at savoname0701@daretolearn.org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

Photo illustration by Payton Gaddy/Shorelines Yearbook Senior Jack Coleman prepares for his future career as a nuclear engineer in the Navy.

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Order in the courtroom: Mollee Sinks has arrived

By Kejsi Zyka Staff Writer

aking on Chapel Hill in August, and law school in the near future, senior Mollee Sinks is preparing to enter the world of criminal justice. She has had an interest in becoming a lawyer ever since she was little, and has been determined to help those without a voice. “My plan is to attend UNC Chapel Hill in the fall and double-major in political science and public policy so that I can go on to law school and do criminal defense,” Sinks said. Last summer, Sinks lived on the UNC Chapel Hill campus and took classes through a program called Uplift Plus. Sinks was able to experience what her freshman year of college would look like. It only took six weeks for Sinks to fall in love with the school. After that, she knew where she belonged. “When I was there over the summer, it just felt like home and I think it’s very important choosing a school where you feel most comfortable at,” she said. Sinks knows that criminal defense is the path she wants to take, and her experience with the Dare County Teen Court program has made her more conﬁdent in that choice. “I do Teen Court the second Tuesday of every month and that has been really interesting,” Sinks said. “I just have always thought being a lawyer was always really cool, and it was something I always said I was going to pursue if I had the opportunity to do so.” According to media center coordinator Susan Sawin, who leads FFHS’ Teen Court program, Sinks has been an invested student since she was a freshman and was positive that Teen Court was what she wanted to do. “She was very interested in the system in general, and that gave her internal motivation to become really involved. At a very early stage in her high school career, she decided that she wanted to go into some area that touched upon the law,” Sawin said. Teen Court is not the only practice she gets in the courtroom. Sinks also has an internship working with Laura Twichell, an associate attorney who practices criminal law.

Photo submitted by Mollee Sinks Senior Mollee Sinks poses in front of a mural at UNC Chapel Hill. Sinks spent six weeks at Chapel Hill at a diversity camp to get a glimpse of the full college experience. “Mollee met Laura through Teen Court and the civics field trip (to the courthouse). It was through those two opportunities that they ended up working together,” Sawin said. Sinks visits the courthouse twice a week to watch Twichell practice law and to get more insight on what life is like for an attorney. “I go down there and I either sit in court with her or I go to her office if she doesn’t have court that day and I help her with applications and files,” Sinks said. This experience has proven beneficial for Sinks, as she is already learning the basics of practicing law. “Doing this, I’ve really gotten to see the inner and outer workings of the legal system,” Sink said. Determined and focused, Sinks is ready to leave this chapter of high school behind and start her new life in college. She’s never been more sure of a plan than the one she has ahead. “It’s one of those things that you just stumble upon, and you know that that’s what you really want to do,” Sinks said. Sophomore Kejsi Zyka can be reached at zykake0914@daretolearn.org.

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Lukas Lewis wins the name game By Grace Sullivan Social Media Editor

s the football field lights shine on the stage during graduation, one senior anxiously awaits his walk across the platform. The line gets shorter, the cameras flashing as the pink-haired boy begins to walk up the stairs, and “Lukas Wade Lewis” rings out across the field. For Lewis, this name change has been a monumental turning point in his transition from female to male in a journey that started years ago. “I came out as transgender beginning of sophomore year and I was surrounded by my closest friends. I had just met my boyfriend, John, and I had never felt so comfortable with someone. I felt like if I wanted to come out I should,” Lewis said. Before his transition, Lukas went by his “dead name,” Emily. A dead name is the name a transgender person is born with and eventually will not go by anymore. The name Lukas didn’t come to Lewis naturally, as he had to slowly adjust rather than jump right into it. “Within the last two years I started going by Lukas. I went by Emmitt at first, because it was easier to transition from Emily to Emmitt since they sounded so similar,” Lewis said. “I never liked that name, though. I just never wanted to be called Emily any more, so it was easier to do it that way.” Though Lewis started going by a different name three years ago, he has always felt like he wasn’t exactly a female. “At a very young age, I hated wearing shirts. I have so many photographs of me when I was 2 or 3 not wearing a shirt. I even went to a wedding shirtless, and growing up it was kind of crippling I couldn’t have that freedom,” Lewis said. This lack of freedom and not realizing and accepting his true self were some of the things that Lewis went through to get where he is today. “I have dealt with depression and self harm, and I think part of my body issues is that I had no idea I was more of a boy than a girl,” Lewis said. “When I finally came out and accepted it, I stopped having those body issues. I still have dysphoria, but of course I know where I am now.” After going through the tran-

Photo by Payton Gaddy/Shorelines Yearbook Senior Lukas Lewis shows off his name, a legal process that wrapped up just in time for him to hear his true name echo through the football ﬁeld speakers as he walks across the stage at graduation. sition process for years, it wasn’t until recently he considered legally changing his name. “The middle of last year, Mrs. (Debbie) Mitchell had approached me about our diplomas and what would be printed on them, and she would’ve had to say my birth name, and she asked if there was any way I could get my name changed,” Lewis said. The legal name change process is different for every person that goes through it, but the change proved to be a struggle for Lewis, who barely made the cutoff for his diploma. “It’s a long and hard process for me. It’s costly and long – takes about three months to get one step done for the process. It involved ﬁngerprints, background checks, criminal history of any sort. When they give you the paper they don’t give you directions,” he said. “We didn’t realize how cut short our time was and how close we were gonna be.” Although the process has been challenging, the support Lewis has received from both friends and

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

family has made the transition smoother. “John suggested a couple times he wanted me to go ahead and get it legally changed and my family was curious to see if I wanted to get it done,” Lewis said. “When I ﬁnally brought it up and I said, ‘What if we get it done for gradation so that my diploma for the rest of my life says Lukas on it?’, they agreed and have been super supportive on it. They were all pushing for me to get it done.” In addition to support from teachers, his boyfriend and family, there is one person in particular who stands out as motivation for Lewis to make the ﬁnal push to change his name. “My grandma is the one person in my family who has really been the pusher. She’s been calling people for information and calling me to push me to get the information. She wants it to get done by the time I graduate,” Lewis said. Lewis’ grandmother gives him the most support in his family, even if she just joined his family through marriage.

“I met my grandma before she was actually my grandma, since in middle school she would give me rides to violin practice in the morning. When I told her I was transgender she was the most supportive person in my whole family, and it was kind of a surprise to me. She is very interested in the transgender community and surgeries and name change,” Lewis said. Lewis’ support system doesn’t just stop with family and friends. His teachers have been helping him on his journey. “I’ve known Lukas since he was a freshman. It’s fantastic for him, it’ll make him feel more of who he is,” Hunter Will said. Will has had Lewis in her English classes for years and knows him through the school’s GSA Club. “I congratulate him for being able to have that. The name change will give him a sense of true identity. He will be more in line with who he feels like on the inside,” Will said. While many ﬁgures in his life have been supportive in his pursuit, Lewis has also received backlash regarding the change. “Some people in one of my classes that I’ve been with for over half the school year, they still call me by that name, (Emily), when everyone else calls me Lukas,” Lewis said. With graduation quickly approaching, Lewis had to consider the disheartening fact that the name change may not happen in time. Then, weeks before graduation, his name was legally changed. “I was ready to not walk across the stage. To me that is being publicly humiliated in front of a crowd of people who know me as someone completely different now,” Lewis said. “I was really surprised because when I got the information back I wasn’t expecting it to happen.” Graduation is only a small part of the picture, as Lewis and his new name will be something that helps him forever. “Being able to move on from my past, who I used to be, is going to be great,” he said. “Think about that day you’re never going to hear that name again, and it’s going to be so great.” Junior Grace Sullivan can be reached at sullivangr1129@daretolearn.org.

Students prepare to fight for the ultimate cause By Reagan Pearson Staff Writer

wight “Ike” Eisenhower once said, “What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight – it’s the size of the fight in the dog.” Students graduating from First Flight and high schools around the country are ready to prove Ike right. They may be fresh out of school, and some may be small, but they are ready to answer the call of their country and serve it with all the fight they have. The military is always a popular alternative for high school students who do not wish to pursue higher education or vocational schooling. Whether it be that they are dedicated to serve their country or maybe they just aren’t sure what to do after high school, you can always be sure that a handful of students are ready to protect and serve. “It (has) been my dream since I was 7,” senior Mitchell Tack said. “I love America and my freedom. I want to protect that.” Tack is planning to enter the Marine Corps, as are some of his fellow students. “It betters yourself physically and mentally,” senior Tanner Lasco said. “I want to join because I want to serve my country while receiving benefits at the same time.” The Marines are the branch that primarily works with the Navy in sea missions such as capturing islands or naval bases, and serve as the primary invasion force when at war. These are the people who storm the beaches. However, one cannot simply just become a Marine. “A high school diploma is required and a medical physical at (Military Entrance Processing Station). You must also not be a felon or have any pending charges,” Lasco said. “For officers, a college degree is usually required unless extreme prowess is shown and you’re referred to (Officer Candidate School) by a superior.” Marines engage in intense training, as they are usually the first ground units to enter battle. All branches of the military have separate, unique goals and tasks that are very distinct from each other. For the Air Force, air superiority is a crucial part of war and battle that has determined who wins and

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Seniors (from left) Tanner Lasco, Mitchell Tack and Nathaniel Romer stand proudly in front of the WWII and Vietnam War memorials in Kill Devil Hills. All three plan to join the military after graduation to serve their country. loses from the moments the planes are first deployed in war. One student who seeks to join the ranks of these fighters is senior Nathaniel Romer. “I want to serve my country and it’s a good experience,” Romer said. Much like the Marines, however, one can’t just jump on a flight line and help change the tide of a battle. “You need a minimum score of 36 on the ASVAB, must be at least 17, have a high school diploma, and more,” Romer said. In addition to young people who are ready to push physical boundaries to serve their country, the military also requires those willing to push mental boundaries. One of these is senior Jack Coleman, who plans to go into the Navy after high school to work with nuclear engineering. The military is not a job that any average Joe can fill. It takes an awe-inspiring amount of courage, determination, discipline and knowledge to join the ranks of those who put their lives on the line every second of every day to protect the country, people and ideals they love. Junior Reagan Pearson can be reached at pearsonre0213@daretolearn.org.

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This opportunity of a lifetime is a Dream come true By Suzanne Harrison News Editor

hen senior Alex “Milko” Urbina was 5 years old, he boarded a plane under the impression he was taking a family trip to Disney World. He had never been so excited to leave Peru, unaware that he would never see his home again. When Urbina arrived in Florida, he did not speak any English and believed that he was staying for a week-long vacation. He stayed, instead, for several months before moving to the Outer Banks. “We did go (to Disney World), but then we stayed in Miami,” Urbina said. “I was a kid, I didn’t really process it. I didn’t know what was going on and it just kind of happened.” It took Urbina two years to become fluent in English, a task he looks back on as one of the most challenging in his life so far. Since, Urbina has continued to conquer all the challenges life throws his way, but one obstacle he will not have to conquer is paying for a majority of his college education. Urbina was awarded the Oppor-

tunity Scholarship by The Dream. US. This prestigious scholarship is granted to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students who have little to no access to higher education – either because of the high cost of out-of-state tuition many DACA students are forced to pay, or because they reside in a “locked-out” state that refuses to admit undocumented immigrants. “The scholarship is so great because I would have to pay out-ofstate tuition. It is a great opportunity,” Urbina said. Urbina is not the only First Flight student to receive this scholarship. Senior Jemima Chima was also awarded this honor, calling it a dream come true not only for herself but for her family as well. “I’m the first to go to college in my family. They are very proud and it’s something they always wanted me to do, but couldn’t accomplish (themselves),” Chima said. Chima and Urbina will both be attending Delaware State University in Dover, Delaware. Chima and Urbina both credit college adviser Sophie Shaw for pushing them to apply for this scholarship, and Shaw could not be

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

Photo by Buzzy Staten/Nighthawk News Seniors Alex Urbina and Jemima Chima will attend Delaware State University, where they earned full rides through a Dreamer scholarship. more ecstatic for both students. “I am so proud. I started crying when I heard from both of them. I knew it was a very competitive scholarship – I had no idea what the odds were of the students getting it,” Shaw said. “I knew they were very strong in their academics, but the scholarship takes a lot of things into consideration.” While both students are nervous

to start at Delaware State, Urbina simply looks at this as yet another challenge he hopes to conquer. “I’m going to be upset leaving North Carolina because it’s going to be a new life and I’m going to be on my own,” Urbina said. “But I’m going to overcome it.” Senior Suzanne Harrison can be reached at harrisonsu0716@daretolearn.org.

Jennings’ spirit shines through tragedy and setbacks By Ashlee Geraghty Social Media Editor

e was fine at Thanksgiving, perfectly normal,” senior Leslie Jennings recalled. “Then, Dec. 12, he went to the hospital. Now it’s kind of all a blur, but I remember weeks before he finally went to the hospital he was really sick.” Jennings’ father passed away her junior year, only months after being diagnosed with what was thought to be stage four pancreatic cancer. His death left a monumental impact on Jennings, her family and the community. “We thought he had the flu and he was just really sick and he wasn’t getting better,” Jennings said. “My dad was the type of person where he was like, ‘I’m not going to the hospital, I’m fine, I’ll just toughen through it.’ ” With the inevitable sadness that came with her father’s passing, Jennings used her positive personality as a way to cope. “I feel like when you’re in a situation, you have two choices: You can either be miserable all the time and you can just let that take over you, or you can look at the positive side of things,” Jennings said. Because her father’s cancer was diagnosed at stage four, his life as a cancer patient was short lived. Despite having less time with her father, Jennings was able to look past this loss of time to find a more positive situation. “My dad was a very handy man, he never liked laying down, never liked stopping. He was always working and I know he hated laying in that bed for a month and I’m glad he didn’t have to do that for months or years,” Jennings said. “Even though he was taken away very soon, I’m very grateful that he didn’t suffer.” Being able to look back at the time spent with her father makes Jennings grateful for the 17 years she was able to spend with him. Whether it was sitting on Avalon Fishing Pier all day, singing karaoke at Jolly Roger or even the time they went to audition for “American Idol,” Jennings and her father made plenty of memories to hold on to. “Me and him went and auditioned for American Idol together because he loved me singing and we shared music,” Jennings said. “That was one of the recent big things before he died that I got to do with

him. It was like four summers ago and we went to Richmond to do it and we stood in line all day.” While trying to remain positive when coping with the loss of her father, Jennings and her mother’s relationship began to drift. In a time when they needed each other more than ever, they knew it was time to seek professional help to mend their relationship. The two sought out counseling, which they both found beneficial. They were able to talk with someone with no prior knowledge of their situation and knew only the information they were providing her with, which helped them heal their relationship and grow a newfound respect for one another. “We realized that it didn’t matter how we were moving on, it’s the fact that we were finding happiness again because that’s exactly what my dad would have wanted. He wouldn’t want us miserable, he wouldn’t want us fighting. He would want us to learn how to be happy again,” Jennings said. After the counseling sessions’ impact on her life, Jennings realized what she had a calling for: helping people in similar situations she’s been through. She hopes to eventually become a therapist. “I realized I wanted to help people in the same situation because there’s always going to be people who lose family, or just have struggles in life that they’re going through,” Jennings said. “Especially since I am a people person, I would love a job where I get to talk to people all day.” Jennings’ positive attitude is something that many admire about her. Senior Braxton Hughes, a close friend, was there for her in her times of need and witnessed her positive perspective on life. “Every time I see her, she’s always in a happy mood. She’s always jumpy and excited to say ‘hey’ and that takes a lot after losing your father. It just shows a lot about her character and who she is as a person,” Hughes said. Earlier this year, Jennings was accepted into her dream school, Virginia Tech. However, with the outof-state tuition, she was not given the financial aid she had hoped for. Devastated, Jennings could not accept the school’s offer, even after submitting her enrollment deposit and finding a roommate. “I was very antsy at first,” Jennings said. “Then I had to sit back and think, ‘Leslie do you want to be

Photo by Hayley Miller/Shorelines Yearbook Leslie Jennings poses with a framed photo of her father, Chris, who passed away from cancer during her junior year. Jennings was accepted into her dream school, Virginia Tech, but had to rescind her admission. Despite these setbacks, the senior has remained positive and will attend UNCW instead. $120,000 in debt when you get out of school?’ I really had to sit back and look at the big picture.” Jennings turned to her positive attitude and her faith and was able to recognize these hardships as a part of God’s plan for her. “I’m a Christian. I had a lot of faith,” Jennings said. “When you go through something like that, I can’t imagine people who don’t have God in their lives, cause that’s what gave me comfort is knowing God has a plan for me and this is just a part of it.” She realized the plan was for her to attend the University of North Carolina at Wilmington as opposed to the tremendous debt that came with Virginia Tech. Jennings is excited for her new life at UNCW, where she plans to major in psychology on her path to becoming a therapist. “Going to college, you go to have

fun and all that stuff, but your ultimate goal is getting a degree and getting an education and honestly Wilmington can provide a much better psychology program than Virginia Tech could,” Jennings said. With her future in mind, Jennings has been able to turn any hardships she’s gone through into a positive and give her life some perspective. “Everyone needs to take a step back in situations like that, and what is meant to be is going to happen. Nothing is coincidence, nothing’s by chance,” Jennings said. “You have a plan made out for you and everything that is going to be will happen. You just kind of have to trust it, trust in God, trust what you’re doing and that it’s all going to work out.” Senior Ashlee Geraghty can be reached at geraghtyas0916@daretolearn.org. summer / / 2018

Sanchez learns hope from fear, strength from weakness

By Emmy Trivette Staff Writer

magine traveling 2,000 miles to New Mexico for a vacation and to visit family, but not being able to do anything because of a sickness you didn’t even realize you had. Now imagine having a 105-degree fever a week before beginning your junior year of high school, visiting five different hospitals, being diagnosed with multiple illnesses, and then at the very end of it – discovering you have cancer. This is exactly what happened to senior Sawyer Sanchez. The first hospital he went to said he had mono, the next said it was the flu, then it was strep throat, and finally, it was acute myeloid leukemia. “When the doctor came in and told me I had cancer the first thing I said was, ‘Does that mean I’m going to be a cancer survivor one day?’ ” Sanchez said. Before Sanchez could even process what had happened, he was put on a private plane to Norfolk to begin treatment at the Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters (CHKD). “The symptoms were almost everything you could think of – fevers, throwing up, you don’t want to eat, you don’t want to move,” Sanchez said. The leukemia pushed Sanchez through three months of chemotherapy at CHKD, then radiation and more chemo at Duke, and finally a bone marrow transplant. In total, the senior spent approximately 150 days in and out of hospitals. The distance from his home was difficult for him and his family, but the miles of separation were shortened by visits from some of his close friends, like senior Logan Haas. “At first, you could see the drastic decrease in his health. He lost his hair and a lot of weight,” Haas said. “Then I saw him after his bone marrow surgery and he looked like himself again, maybe even stronger.” It was, however, because of the distance between Sanchez and his family and friends that the senior was able to build strong bonds with the hospital staff. Although he isn’t with them as much as he was a year ago, he still stays in contact with all of his doctors and nurses. “They’re some of my best

Photos submitted by Sawyer Sanchez Senior Sawyer Sanchez (left) rests with his therapy dog, Sarah Lee, at CHKD in Norfolk during his leukemia treatment. After beating cancer, Sanchez got a wolf tattoo to memorialize his fight. friends now, and I still keep in touch with all of them,” Sanchez said. Sanchez did not build relationships with just staff. There were other patients who he got just as close with. “I still hang out with one of the kids. He’s about 10 and every couple months we get together,” Sanchez said. “They went through the same thing I was going through.” While the support of friends – new and old – and family helped him stay strong and keep his head up, Sanchez wanted to think about the future. He needed goals, something he could do when, not if, he got out of the hospital. The first thing he did was adopt a dog – a Dutch-Shepherd, Brinlee – who is named after a therapy dog Sanchez helped train while he was recovering. “(The goals) gave me things to look forward to, and know that I was going to get out of the hospital eventually,” Sanchez said. Not only did he get a dog, but he planned on getting a classic car as well. When released from Duke in 2017, he bought a 1976 Camaro, which then unfortunately caught fire in August. “It was scary: I started the car, saw a flame in the engine, jumped out, ran, and then the fire truck came,” Sanchez said. When he found the car on Craigslist, Sanchez had no idea that the seller was the uncle of a patient who had a transplant by the same doctors at the very same hospital where Sanchez was being

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

treated. He had passed away a year before. After discovering this, the seller drove the car up from Florida for Sanchez while he was still in Durham. “I was disappointed that I had lost such a cool memory,” Sanchez said. “I wasn’t even mad that I lost the actual car, more mad that I had lost such a cool connection.” Once he had strengthened his immune system and was released from the hospital, Sanchez also made plans to get a tattoo. The design is an intricate wolf with the date of his transplant underneath it. Sanchez feels connected to the wolf. It’s something that guided him through his recovery. After he got the tattoo, he posted a picture on his Instagram, captioning it: “I am the Wolf...strong and wise. I have seen the darkness and the light of the world and have found both within me as well. I am both a teacher and a student in this lifetime. I have learned hope from fear and strength from weakness, yet I sleep with one eye open.” “It means being the wolf, and seeing the darkness (which is cancer and being in the hospital) and then being able to come out of it is the light of the world,” Sanchez said. “And I was a student in the hospital, and I learned from all the people that went through what I did, and now I’m kind of a teacher to the ones who are there now.” The permanent tattoo, and the wolf, are both ways for Sanchez to remember his fight against cancer Above all, the most important

reason Sanchez will never forget his transplant is because of his donor. During his stay in Durham, after the procedure, he discovered the donor was a 9-year-old girl. “My DNA is exactly the same as her, so we’re basically DNA twins. My genes are her genes, my blood type is her blood type,” Sanchez said. He hopes that one day he might be able to know who this girl is and be able to meet his genetic twin. In the meantime, Sanchez is focusing on his future – which as of now, is college. He was accepted into two in-state schools: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Appalachian State University. Though many assumed that Sanchez would be going to Chapel Hill, he will be heading to the Blue Ridge Mountains to major in Dietetics at Appalachian State. “Everyone always looks at me funny when I say that (I chose App State over Chapel Hill),” Sanchez said with a laugh. He has good reasons behind his decision. Sanchez loves to be in the mountains and his brother also attends the college. As a bonus, App has one of the best Dietetics programs in state. No matter where Sanchez goes in life, he will always remember his junior year of high school. “That was a whole year of my life and I changed a lot. It’s something I don’t want to forget,” Sanchez said with a smile. Sophomore Emmy Trivette can be reached at trivetteem0626@daretolearn.org.

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Photo by Gray Tillett/Nighthawk News Senior Gavin Brenner talks with the Rise Liberty youth group. Brenner has been part of Rise since middle school and enjoys participating every Thursday. This August, the senior will continue sharing his faith as he begins his ﬁrst semester at College of the Albemarle.

Brenner stays true to his faith By Courtney Tillett Staff Writer

rinking, sneaking out for parties, smoking. These are just some of the notorious activities high schoolers participate in, right? Not for senior Gavin Brenner, who has chosen a different path to follow: his faith. Brenner was 16 when he was saved. This was one decision that made all the difference in his life as he made a decision to devote his life to change, to give up the worldly things of life and set himself apart by following Jesus. “Getting saved is when you dedicate your life to Jesus and you become transparent,” Brenner explained. “It’s when you let Jesus into your heart and let him be the leader and understand that he is higher up.” By accepting God into his heart, Brenner has changed the course of his life. It has provided him with blessings, and by giving all his glory to God, he has remained humble. “I knew that it was easier to get past obstacles because of the friends I had made and of course my relationship with Jesus,” Brenner said. “When you become a Christian you know that you are underneath his protection, that he will always take care of you. ” Ever since Brenner was saved, he tries to encourage others to understand the impact that God has

had on him. “I believe people should devote their life to Jesus not because I say you should or other people say that you should, you should do it based on if you think you should,” Brenner said. “Your heart needs to be pure and in a place where you feel like you have had enough of your hard life, ﬁlled with anxiety and depression, and make that choice to accept Jesus.” Instead of reaching toward destructive behaviors for relief from his circumstances, Brenner went toward God’s hands. His older sister, Makenna Brenner, who is also a strong Christian attending Liberty Christian Fellowship, has been one of his biggest supporters. “I have always loved Gavin and he was more than a brother to me,

he was like a best friend. The transformation I saw in him was something that can only be explained by God,” Makenna said. “His life was so different when he committed to following Jesus. One of the most evident things was that he was ﬁlled with joy, despite our tough circumstances at home. He became servant-hearted and really started to become a strong man of God.” Brenner plans to attend College of the Albemarle to major in Business Administration in preparation to transfer to a four-year university. But no matter where his education takes him, the senior feels conﬁdent his faith will remain strong. Sophomore Courtney Tillett can be reached at tillettco1214@daretolearn.org.

Congratulations, Nighthawks!

summer / / 2018

Lewis shares his faith through baseball By Kristen Applebaum Staff Writer

strong passion for any activity can take someone far. For senior Cody Lewis, his passion for baseball and his faith will be taking him all the way to the Dominican Republic. This July, Lewis will be traveling to the Caribbean nation for a baseball outreach program through Missions.Me – a nonprofit organization that organizes mission trips around the world for those hoping to expand their faith. Lewis discovered Missions.Me while scrolling through social media one day. The account caught his eye and he soon found out about the baseball outreach trip. “I’ve been to Nicaragua a few times before with my church mission trips, but this time I saw an opportunity with an organization that I followed through social media,” Lewis said. “I saw the opportunity and was like, ‘I love baseball and I love traveling, so let me check it out.’ ” Originally, Lewis was planning to go to Nicaragua for the same program, but due to political unrest in the country, the organization decided to send participants to the Dominican Republic instead. “I was kind of bummed out when they called and said the other trip was canceled, but I was still super excited when I found out I was going,” Lewis said. Mission trips have become almost a regular experience for Lewis, who has been to the same small village in Nicaragua three separate times. The trips have all consisted of helping out the locals by working on construction projects like building a feeding center, and creating close relationships with both the adults and children. “We would help with whatever they needed, like give them food, spend time with them and hang out with the kids, which was a great time,” Lewis recalled. Traveling to the Dominican Republic will be a new experience for Lewis since he’s new to the country. And this time, he will be focusing more on baseball and sharing his faith with others. “I love baseball. I have a heart for missions and just serving the people across the world and sharing the word of God, so I don’t want to pass up this opportunity,” Lewis said. While abroad, he will spend his

days at practice participating in drills and workshops. Then, every night he and the other athletes will challenge local baseball teams to an official game. One of the most exciting aspects of the trip for Lewis is the opportunity to meet and play against different people in addition to the fact that many talented professional baseball players originated in the Dominican Republic. “I’m excited to be playing against the competition and just really seeing their passions for baseball as well as the stepping stones they had to go through to get where they are right now,” Lewis said. The senior is thrilled to be working with and meeting new people who share his same enthusiasm for baseball and sharing God’s words with the world. “The opportunity to pour into these other guys’ lives that I’ll be spending the weeks with and bettering myself by learning new things and meeting new people will be great,” Lewis said. At the end of the trip, a massive church service will be held, where everyone is welcome to come together to share their ideas of faith and what they have learned through their experience. By the end of the week, Lewis hopes to have fortified his faith and become both a better person and baseball player. “My passion is baseball. I’ve played for four years on the baseball team and I get to use that to spread the word of God,” Lewis said.” Lewis’ mother, Wendy, is willing to support him throughout his journey, believing that his faith will help get him wherever he wants to be in life. “I was OK with him going to Nic-

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

aragua as well because if it’s where God wanted him then I’m good, but I feel like all of that (rescheduling) was just putting him where he needed to be,” Wendy said. As a proud mother, she has watched her son grow in many areas of his life within the past few years, including taking on leadership positions in baseball and his academics, and building a strong character. This particular mission trip will aid Lewis with his future, as he plans to study international

(Left) Senior Cody Lewis reaches for the ball in the outfield. Lewis cracks a laugh as a child from Nicaragua sits atop his shoulders. Lewis has made several mission trips to Nicaragua and plans to go on a baseball outreach trip to the Dominican Republic in July. He plans on coming back to attend Liberty University. Photos submitted by Cody Lewis business in sports when he attends Liberty University in August. His mother is confident that this trip will help him fulfill his goals and lead him on a successful path. “He’s much like me, so he is capable of doing whatever he wants to do, but finding the one thing that God wants him to do – I think that’s what this trip is going to do for him,” Wendy said. Junior Kristen Applebaum can be reached at applebaumkr0910@ daretolearn.org.

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With colored pencils and sneakers, Kerlin conquers all By Hannah Ellington News Editor

Photos by Payton Gaddy/Shorelines Yearbook Senior Lauren Kerlin concentrates as she works on her assignment for AP Art (top). Kerlin admires her many awards for competitive dance. As the senior prepares to take on UNC Chapel Hill next fall as a biomedical engineering major, she plans to continue art, dance and choreography.

enior Lauren Kerlin is known for her exceptional artwork and sassy moves on the dance floor. However, many are not aware that these amazing talents blossomed from essentially no training. “When I was younger, I did tap and ballet in kindergarten and then after that I stopped and did mostly gymnastics, but I was always dancing around my room,” Kerlin said. “My mom noticed that I was pretty good for someone who didn’t have any training, but I was so against the idea of taking a ballet class.” Despite her reluctance to do ballet, Kerlin and her mom decided upon a studio to actually begin her passion when she was in the seventh grade. “We finally found a studio where I could take a Saturday ballet class and not perform a piece in the recital and then just be able to take hip-hop, so that’s what got me started taking actual dance classes,” she said. While most little girls adore the idea of being a ballerina when they grow up, Kerlin went in a different direction: hip-hop. “It’s my favorite because the music is the most fun to listen to and I think there’s so many different ways you can go about it,” Kerlin said. “I think it’s fun to surprise people with how technical hip-hop actually is because people don’t realize there is actually technique that goes into it.” Some have noticed the striking contrast between Kerlin’s external disposition and her attitude on and off the dance floor. “It’s fun to be sassy and it sort of is a contrast to my outward personality, so it’s cool to be able to be like that in the studio but also be super laid back and not as confident in my everyday life,”

Kerlin explained. The senior currently dances at Infinity Dance in Kitty Hawk. There, she is president of the competition team and is also a part of Elevated Artists – a program that allows young choreographers to set pieces on other dancers. “I got to pick different girls from the studio to be in a piece that I choreographed and it was a hip-hop piece,” Kerlin said. “We took it to competition and we actually won a judge’s choice award for choreography, which was really cool for me to stand up there and the judge say, ‘Who choreographed this?’ and I was able to say, ‘I did!’ ” Kerlin has been taught by Simone Endres for seven years. Endres has watched the senior grow up and become an outstanding dancer. “Lauren is dedicated and caring and loving and smart and so amazingly talented,” Endres said. “She is an amazing artist in all aspects of the word. She dances and she draws and she does amazing makeup and anything she puts her mind to she accomplishes and I’ve just seen her grow throughout these years into the young lady that she is now and I am so proud of her.” Kerlin developed her passion for hip-hop from Endres, who was a professional hip-hop choreographer for many years. The dance teacher looked on as Kerlin found her foothold in hip-hop and continuously pushed her to better herself. “I think all of my kids, at one point or another, whether it’s hiphop or ballet or contemporary or whatever their favorite genre is, they have this ‘Aha!’ moment,” Endres said. “And for her, she had this amazing ‘Aha!’ moment around her ninth- or 10th-grade year and I just saw this explosion with her, that she was like, ‘I’m doing this and I’m getting it.’ She always got it, but it was that really good moment that I was like, ‘Yeah, you summer / / 2018

the Spotlight are totally taking this where I can see you going places.’ Even though we are on the Outer Banks and they feel that they are from a small town, they can go as far as they want to take this and especially with Lauren, she can go anywhere she wants really in dance.” While she despised the idea of ballet at first, Kerlin grew to accept it and appreciate the style for what it is. She’s also gained a different perspective of herself as a ballerina. “I really hated it at first because it’s not my body style. Ballerinas are usually really tall and really skinny and I’m really tall, but I’m not that lean, so it was hard to see myself as a ballerina,” she said. “But once you start seeing yourself and start working at it, it got really fun.” Not only does Kerlin excel at dancing, she is also an exceptional artist. All four years of high school, she has been a part of the art classes and is currently taking AP Art. “Just like dance, I’ve always enjoyed drawing,” Kerlin said. “People noticed and were like, ‘Hey, you’re pretty good for not having any training.’ So, I started really getting serious in middle school when in eighth grade I had the option to take Art I.” While Kerlin did not take up the offer of Art I, she realized that it was an amazing opportunity she passed by. When she got to high school and started taking art with former teacher Corinne Saunders, she grew to love it and wanted to stick with it. “What’s really cool about an art class is that (the teachers) can teach you everything they know and then it’s up to you to put it to practice and they’re there to tweak everything for you and push you in the right direction,” Kerlin said. Currently, Kerlin is taught by art teacher Alice Baldwin and has been with her since sophomore year. Baldwin has watched her grow as an artist as well as a person, and her willingness to step up to a challenge never fails to inspire others. “She is very dedicated, goal driven,” Baldwin said. “She sets at

a task and really goes for it. She can be very serious but at the same time, you’ll look over and she’s dancing by herself in the classroom. Not a care in the world if anyone else is watching, but she’s having a good ol’ time.” One of her most recent art pieces was inspired by Chuck Close and it has grown to be one of her favorites. While it took time, the end result was rewarding. “It was of me and my twin sister. We worked on it for so long – a few weeks before Christmas break and then we had all Christmas break to work on it, and it was a painting so it was very labor intensive,” Kerlin said. “It was just sitting there for hours and looking at the picture and then looking at the painting. I was really happy with how it turned out. It’s always fun to put so much into something and then have it turn out good.” Kerlin will attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill this fall to major in biomedical engineering; however, she plans to maintain her passion for the arts. She is currently debating between dance and studio art when it comes to choosing a minor. “I think why I was leaning more towards dance is that I can kind of do art on my own inside and I’ll have all my materials in my dorm and I’ll have all my materials at home like my little corner in my house,” Kerlin said. “I think I’m pretty confident in that I can keep doing that throughout the school year next year and keep my practice up and stay up to date to all the things I want to in art. Whereas for dance, it’s going to be hard to find studio space or time to do stuff with dance if I don’t take classes with it or join the dance team.” Kerlin has looked into joining the UNC Kamikazi Hip Hop Dance Team but she hasn’t fully decided where she wants to dance, considering she needs to find what works best with her college schedule. Even if she does minor in dance, Kerlin will always turn toward both mediums as a way for her to express herself in a different, unique way. “For dance, you take on the per-

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

Photo by Jalen Endres/Special to Nighthawk News Senior Lauren Kerlin rehearses for her competitive hip-hop solo. Kerlin has been dancing since she was in seventh grade, and her passion for hip-hop has led her to choreograph award-winning dances. Below, Kerlin’s impressive art skills led to the creation of this Chuck Close portrait.

sona of your choreography and the song and the story you’re trying to tell,” Kerlin explained. “So it’s cool for me to listen to a song and hear the confidence of the artist and be like, ‘OK, that needs to be portrayed through what I’m dancing.’

And then with art, I can literally tell whatever story I want. You can almost be whoever you want at any time.” Junior Hannah Ellington can be reached at ellingtonha1214@daretolearn.org.

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Lighting his way to the future, McClary shines By Chloe Futrell Features Editor

hen most kids are dragged to concert events, it’s a chore, but when senior Mac McClary was in elementary school he wandered off to the sound booth. “It all started with the Duck Jazz Festival,” McClary said. “I was always the kid that stayed behind the sound tent for the entire show, just watching.” McClary’s love for the technical side of productions started at the Jazz Festival, but it would soon carry over to the high school a few years later when McClary attended a talent show. “I was wandering around upstairs because I really wanted to find the booth, so I walked down the hallway and looked in and I saw Mrs. Penn and she waved, ‘Get out,’ ” McClary said. Freshman year soon rolled around for McClary and he could officially join the booth for his first show ever: “An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe.” As the years went by, McClary eventually transitioned from sound to lighting. “I had never thought about lighting before. It had always been sound,” he said. “I started doing lighting for school my sophomore year and the company (I work for) started expanding into the lighting world as well. Everything just sort of fell into place.” McClary has worked for the production company Sea Level Sound and Lighting since his freshman year. They do shows all over the Outer Banks, including the Shredfest and Mustang Music Festival as well as concerts at various venues. While McClary has worked with Sea Level Sound for four years, you could say he’s been a part of it for much longer. “I met my boss Chris and I was like, ‘If you ever need any help with anything just call. I was in fifth grade at this time,” McClary said. “There wasn’t much I could do, but we stayed in contact for a few years.”

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Senior Mac McClary plays the keyboard while also playing music from his computer during the marching band’s Metallica halftime show. McClary has always had a passion for behind-the-scenes stage work and plans to study lighting design at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Due to his experience with the backstage aspects of theater and production, McClary has discovered an even larger passion and appreciation for the technical side of productions. “Sound is one thing, because if you have a show that sounds great and a show that also looks great it’s gonna be great together,” McClary said. “It’s really cool – with lighting and sound you really get to connect the audience to the music.” Though McClary may oftentimes be found at a computer programing lights and sound, the business still comes with laborious work.

“There is a lot of pushing heavy cases around. Especially with lighting, there is very heavy cable involved,” McClary said. The hard work over the years has paid off. McClary will be attending the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) in Winston-Salem to major in lighting design. “They are one of the best schools in the country for design and production,” McClary said. “I am really attracted to it because they put on a lot of really big productions. They have a lot of really nice equipment.” McClary is also attracted to the

collective involvement of all the fine arts departments that contribute to the shows. “You get to work with the design and production students that integrate with the acting students that integrate with the art students that integrate with the music students or the orchestra,” McClary said. McClary hopes his passion for tech will end up as his future career, and he feels confident UNCSA will give him the skills to do so. Junior Chloe Futrell can be reached at futrellch1114daretolearn.org. summer / / 2018

the Spotlight Little Sand ‘seas’ life’s beauty after adoption By Julia Bachman Staff Writer

doption has many connotations – some positive, some negative. For senior Alexandra Byers, also known as Nong Sai – Thai for “Little Sand” – the experience of adoption means the beginning of a beautiful relationship. Born in Rayong, Thailand, Byers was placed in a foster family until the age of 2. She then moved to the Outer Banks to live with her loving adoptive family. “I think it would be really amazing if I still lived in Thailand, but I know that living here offers me the best possible life,” Byers said. Wanting her to learn about all of the cultures around the world, Byers’ parents hosted many exchange students from all over the world, making sure that she learned a little about each culture. Pai Ngeonjuklin, who owns the Thai Room in Kill Devil Hills, came to America as an exchange student and helped Byers learn Thai while introducing her to traditional food. “My parents found a special place in their heart for her, and she became my godmother, but I think of her as my sister and someone I can connect to, especially culturally,” Byers said. Byers enjoys the rich fabric of different cultures and notices First Flight has little to offer in terms of different cultural experiences. However, the senior plans to attend Elon University to study music performance and is excited to embrace students and teachers from all different backgrounds. “Everyone knows FFHS is not diverse. I don’t see much going on to promote cultures, or a world cultures day,” Byers said. “At Elon, there is a world cultures day and everyone dresses up and represents their cultures, and I think that’s so nice. I’m looking forward to it.” In 2005, Byers traveled back to Thailand for Ngeonjuklin’s wedding and revisited her foster care journey. Her trip sparked a desire to

continue to learn about her culture. “I definitely want to travel back to learn about Thailand and connect with my culture, but I do not think I want to reconnect with my family,” Byers explained. “To me, I don’t consider them my family, they are just people who gave birth to me. My family are the people that brought me to life and the people I have lived with for 16 years.” Thai traditions like Loy Krathong, meaning “float a basket,” contribute a sense of comfort and belonging in Byers’ life. These traditions reinforce the values she strives to embrace in her everyday life. “I have made sure to include my culture throughout my whole life,” Byers said. “One ceremony performed is using a banana tree stump as the base. (Pai and I) attached flowers, banana leaves and candles to it. We then lit the candles and placed them in the sound. The point of this is to let everything go and ‘float away your troubles.’ ” Growing up with Caucasian parents made it obvious Byers was adopted. The senior notes that comments from others range from casual to invasive. “It’s only awkward when people make it awkward. When people find out I’m adopted they usually say ‘Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,’ ” Byers said. “They don’t realize I’m living my best life and adoption was the best thing ever for me.” Byers believes one of the benefits to her adoption is that she was given the tools to later discover her passion for music. Influenced by the opportunities and lessons that her parents allowed her to have, she has found an interest in performing. Without these eye-opening experiences, she would not have developed a love for music. “I feel like I would have been able to learn music, but not to the extent that I have here,” she said. “It depends on if I had continued to live in the foster care system or not. If I did, I probably wouldn’t even have learned the piano. ” Inspired by her life experience, Byers chose to examine the foster

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

Photos submitted by Alexandra Byers Alexandra Byers explores Thailand’s waterways at the age of 5. Below, Byers performs with bandmate Katie Hala at a local gig. Following her adoption from Thailand in 2003, Byers has been provided a wealth of opportunities and will attend Elon University to study music this fall. Byers’ senior project video can be viewed scanning the QR Code or at this link: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=wPpVLFbjgK0

system and inform others about the deeper meaning of adoption for her senior project. She created a video following her own adoption story that has been viewed more than 3,000 times on YouTube. Her mother, Victoria Byers, viewed the video after it was posted. “I was overwhelmed with pride and love for Alexandra,” Victoria said. “I had no idea she was working on this project and video. To know the time and effort she put into the video is one thing. To feel the emotion, love and ultimate

happiness that is conveyed by her video leaves me speechless.” Byers’ project allowed her to not only look back on her own story, but to gain a deeper understanding of the inner workings of adoption and the foster care system. “I support adoption. I understand how it could hurt adoptees if they are being taken away from their birth families. But if children are in foster care, they are there for a reason. Going to a good, loving family will hopefully better their lives,” Byers said. ”I am so fortunate for the life I have been given and I can’t imagine it any better than how it is now.” Junior Julia Bachman can be reached at bachmanju@daretolearn. org.

Oh, the places you’ll go...

HI: GA:

SC:

Hawai‘i Pacific University Ashley Mercer

University of South Carolina Alexis Bowlin Coastal Carolina University Brayleigh Jones

OH:

SCAD Trinity Steyn

NY:

IL:

Liberty University Cody Lewis

Delaware State University Jemima Luing Chima Alex Urbina Curi Pennslyvania State University Alan Maniet

FL:

WV: VA: Hampden-Sydney Stephen Cash

PA: DE:

Columbia University Alexandra Rodman

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Brigid O’Neil

Advanced Technology Institute Caleb Macon

American University Suzanne Harrison

Coastal Pines Technical College Sara Reeves

University of Akron Wayne College Sloan Tomblin

DC:

Concord University Anne Elliott Taylor

University of Richmond Braxton Hughes Virginia College Sydney Wiseman

University of Tampa Liam Stuart Lauren Taylor Eckerd College Brittney Davenport

CA: Pepperdine University Mast Lige

Virginia Commonwealth University Karsen Beckner

Piedmont Community College Josh Kennon

summer / / 2018

NC: Appalachian State Madison Ball Blayden Boyd Kira Foster John Haynes Kyla Horak Noah Howard Mattie Huband William Lyon Joseph McNamara Kameron Midgett Torren Phillips Sawyer Sanchez Jessica Steagall Ronnie Sunkler Taylor Talbert Savannah Wallace Kendall Weeks Raleigh Wiles

Cape Fear Community College Nick Goldberg Raejahn Greeley Kate Simmons College of the Albemarle Jamie Angel Ramirez Gavin Brenner Samantha Casolaro Joseph Ciero Raven Davis Sarah Downing Morganne Drexler Hannah Eanes Danielle Evers Brayden Griffin Casey Johnson Brynn Karvala Michaela Kelly Aaron Kohlhafer Genesis Mejia-Jimenez Anthony Molina Matthew Moore Adam Morway Austin Parr Timothy Parsons Evette Ramirez Brodey Sams Krista Sanders Skyler Seal

Kaylee Story Jenna Struck Michael Tucker Tavia Whisner Winborne Wise Duke Arien Leigh East Carolina University Carmen Chinchilla Tristan Copeland Caleb Drysdale Payton Gaddy Maggie Hill Ethan Lowe Christopher Mull Thomas Sumner Kayla Tucker Scarlet Westenhiser Elon University Alexandra Byers Martin Community College Kayla Chamorro Dalton Hauser Meredith College Malia Garber Methodist University Hunter Snyder North Carolina State Robert Amoruso Isabell Eckard Ryan Golden Logan Haas Brooke Kelly Samuel Klotz Amber Laskowski Kiersten Lewis Tyler Love Vega Sproul Summer Tonnesen Paul Mitchell School of Cosmetology Schyler Crawley Pitt Community College Tea Davis Fernanda Hernandez Calles UNC Chapel Hill Emma Bancroft Casey Bouker

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration â&#x20AC;&#x201C; college map

Jeremiah Derby Crewe Douglas Quinn Douglas Isabella House Lauren Kerlin Arabella Saunders Mollee Sinks Emma Strickland Vanessa Vazquez-Castro Elijah Whitfield UNC Charlotte Taryn Bruff Ashlee Geraghty Dagen Gilbreath Bryce Pugh Skylar Stultz Parker Swart Ethan Valdivieso UNC Greensboro Katelyn Hala Cierra Haley Nikolas Tsonev

Trent Rokosh

Military Service Nathan Aldea Bailey Ambrose Kevin Burton Jack Coleman Jillian Hix Tanner Lasco Siri Pellot-Vazquez Mitchell Tack

Wake Tech Community College Noah Doughtie Alex Prior Noah Turbitt

Workforce Tiffany Bonito Jayden Carpenter Moses Carranza Gannon Chisholm Geoffrey Frank Janna Frank Molly Harris Haley Hartin Samantha Horrell Mary Jolley Naomi Lawrenson Cole Logan Karen Lopez Benjamin Maurice Marcelo Munoz Alex Nguyen Sean Nicholson James Perrin Nathaniel Romer John Smith

Western Carolina University Miles Kasten Lukas Lewis

Volunteer Brianna Acuna Katie Gunzenhauser

UNC Wilmington Matthew Gray Leslie Jennings Lindsay Kerlin Beverly Murry Meghan Savona Zachary Serfling UNC School of the Arts Mac McClary Wake Forest University Ida Greenlee

Graphics by Dagen Gilbreath/Nighthawk News From information reported to FFHS Student Services

Class of 2018: The good olâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; days

summer / / 2018

Photos submitted by families (Left page, from top left) Arabella Saunders, Suzanne Harrison and Malia Garber; (middle) Mattie Huband, Kiersten Lewis and Brayleigh Jones; (bottom) Beverly Murry, Robby Amoruso and Summer Tonnessen (on the right). (Right page, from top left) Alex Rodman, Emma Strickland, Vega Sproul, Ben Maurice, Ashlee Geraghty.

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration

Women work to ﬁx STEM gender gap By Simone Midgett Staff Writer

ccording to a study done by the Economics and Statistics Association in 2009, women hold 24 percent of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) occupations. For every dollar earned by a man, a woman in STEM earns 86 cents, and only 14 percent of engineers are female. Senior Ida Greenlee covered the struggles of women in STEM for her senior project. She touched on the gender gap between men and women, how women in STEM are treated, the women who currently contribute to the field and past women in STEM who have influenced others today. “I wanted to do something personal, and as a woman going into STEM, I wanted to do a little more research about the field I was going into,” Greenlee said. Greenlee will be attending Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. Although she isn’t certain about what she wants to major in, she knows that she has had an interest in science and math since she can remember. Her dad has especially been an influence in her interest in these fields. “My dad went to North Carolina State University for chemical engineering, so he has always pushed me to try my best in my science and math courses,” Greenlee said. I think tracing back to my fourthgrade math teacher, Mrs. Heinrich, she really made math fun for me, so I enjoyed it from there on.” Over the years, Greenlee has attended multiple academic camps to help lead her in the right direction for the career path she has always been interested in. “I went to two camps at Duke, one for bioscience and engineering and the other was about 3D printing. And then I went to a camp at Wake Forest last year for bioscience and engineering, too,” Greenlee said. Fellow senior Isabella House also plans on entering the STEM field. She will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and plans to major in biomedical engineering. “I wanted to be a nurse or a doctor at one point, but I’m not good with pressure or holding someone’s life in my hands, so I really didn’t think that was the job for me,”

Photo by Buzzy Staten/Nighthawk News Seniors Isabell Eckard (left) and Ida Greenlee share a laugh with teachers Angela Gard (left) and Nancy Stevens. Eckard and Greenlee are looking to change the gender gap in STEM fields by majoring in engineering. House said. “I knew I wanted to be an engineer because I love problem solving and just like doing things to create something else.” House began to research different branches of engineering to see which one stood out to her. “I saw biomedical engineering on this one website, and it was a newer branch of engineering so I knew it was going to be fun because there were a bunch of new things going on,” House said. “Also, it’s biomedical, so it will go along with health and using biological and chemical processes as well as helping other people.” House has taken an array of AP classes throughout high school to help prepare her for these fields in college. “My interest for science came back up in AP Chemistry. I still knew I had an interest in science and I wanted to use it toward something bigger than me,” House said. “My classes have definitely prepared me for the rigor I am to experience in my (college) classes

and set the foundation.” Throughout the years, the percentage of women in STEM has increased greatly, but there is still a noticeable divide. Both House and Greenlee hope to help close this gap and encourage other young women to consider doing the same. “I think a lot of women are dissuaded from going into the

STEM-related ﬁelds,” Greenlee said. “So I think it’s important to lower the gender gap, but also shed light on the women who have been in STEM and the women who are in STEM and how amazing their accomplishments have been.” Sophomore Simone Midgett can be reached at midgettsa0827@ daretolearn.org.

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Options abound at COA and other two-year schools By Hunter Haskett Business Manager

s the cost of four-year universities continues to rise, more and more students have turned to the same education for half the cost: community college. “Community college offers a lot of one- and two-year degree, diploma and certiﬁcate programs that can set students up for employment a lot faster than if they were doing a four-year university,” college adviser Sophie Shaw said. Community colleges and other two-year programs have gained popularity over the past few years as students and their parents have begun to realize the many resources they have to offer. “I think it got misconstrued at some point that college meant a four-year school, but it just meant go get more education,” guidance counselor Kyle Eaker said. “There are more jobs, I think, for two-year schools right now than there are for four-year schools.” For those who want to attend a

four-year university, going to community college is a great way to save money for a year or two before transferring. “I’m going to (College of the Albemarle) for a year and then going to school at either UNCW or Mary Baldwin,” senior Michaela Kelly said. “It’s cheaper and I can figure out what I want to do.” A two-year school is also great for those who have financial or other issues that may deter them from staying at a four-year school. “I started out at a four-year college and I ended up transferring to a community college for a year because they changed my financial aid and I didn’t want to have to take out so many loans my second year,” Shaw said. “For me, community college was really great because I was able to continue staying in school but not accrue a lot of debt.” Besides the obvious financial benefits of two-year schools, they can also be great for those who aren’t quite ready to leave for school yet or want more classes to add to their resumes. “I’ll be doing COA, like the

general courses, then I plan on transferring to Guilford,” senior Winnie Wise said. “Because of all of my anxiety issues, (going to COA) helps me get the practice of being at college while still being at home, so I can be prepared for when I actually do go.” COA offers a range of degrees, including a competitive nursing program for those interested in the medical ﬁeld. “I am just doing the basic education and then in January I will apply for a nursing major,” senior Danielle Evers said. “Toward the second year I’ll do all of my nursing requirements and I’ll start working at the Sentara Hospital and then I think that’s three or four semesters of getting my associates in nursing.” Hands-on experience allows COA nursing students to truly grasp the skills they will need for future jobs. “It’s kind of a slower pace and it helps you understand more because if you go to a four-year school it’s kind of like bam, bam, trying to get everything all togeth-

er,” Evers said. Nursing is just one of the various ﬁelds that College of the Albemarle offers at a low price and reasonable pace that is suitable for any student. “Community colleges are rising to the challenge of having more people interested in utilizing the resources they have and so they are providing more and more of these resources that students like, to make their experience outside of academics more enriching,” Shaw said. For many years, people have looked down on community colleges, thinking that the education they provided was somehow subpar compared to a four-year school. In reality, however, two-year schools are the hidden gems of higher education. “You can do anything you want to after you go to a community college; it doesn’t close any doors. In a lot of cases, it opens the doors,” Eaker said. Junior Hunter Haskett can be reached at hasketthu0318@daretolearn.org.

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Junior Marshals ready to guide the graduates

By Trinity Harrison Online Editor

hroughout high school, class rank has been a competitive race, and for 11 juniors, their hard work has paid off. Typically, the top 10 students in the class are given the honor of being an academic marshal at graduation. But this year, two students – Izzie Estes and Zane Fish – were tied for 10th, so an exception was made to have 11 marshals. “Izzie and I already knew we were tied for 10th in the class, but I guess I am just surprised that they allowed two people to be tied in a class rank,” Fish said. “I figured they would find a way edge one out over the other,

but it’s nice we get to experience it together.” With AP classes and dual enrollment becoming more and more common, being among the top students in the class is becoming more of a competitive challenge. “Honestly, I wasn’t really surprised because I have been keeping tabs on it all year,” Jacy Copeland said. “But now I am really happy because I finally am one.” There are many roles that the marshals have to fill to ensure graduation goes smoothly. They help line up the seniors, get them seated properly, hand out programs, hand diplomas to the principal and much more. Marshals are also required to attend all graduation practices as well as the

senior picnic. “I think it is a recognition of the hard work they have done that they are in the top percentile of their class, and I think it helps them work hard toward titles like valedictorian and salutatorian,” graduation coordinator Crissie Weeks said. Teachers are both proud and appreciative of the students, and the marshals are grateful to have the opportunity. “I think it’s a really cool thing to do and to just get to be a part of graduation,” Abby Smith said. “I definitely think it will be a good experience.” Junior Trinity Harrison can be reached at harrisontr0314@daretolearn.org.

Junior Marshals Cecilia Cortez Jacy Copeland Christian DeMarco Hannah Ellington Izzie Estes Zane Fish Hunter Haskett Shane McKenna Tommy Mahler Abby Smith Parker Sylvia

CTE classes prep students for real-world work By Caroline Jenkins Staff Writer

hey are the students who may feel trapped by their core classes. Their passion for learning may be entirely different from the valedictorian. They may not have an interest in being an engineer or a lawyer, a teacher or a chemist; but they are the ones who will thrive in the right environment. But many times this environment is left out – classes holding the key to inspiration and drive within technical careers are being entirely forgotten by some high schools. According to The Washington Post, 45 percent of high school students choose a technical track, rather than an academic track, after completing their basic education. This means close to half of students are engaging in careers that do not involve endless schooling and higher education. In contrast to the seemingly endless amount of college prep classes offered, vocational classes allow for students who stray from the “norm” of going to college to shine in classes geared toward occupational training. “Some are more given to academic, cognitive learning and uptake in classroom in a conventional fashion,” carpentry teacher Skip Saunders said. “Others are more given to auditory learning and hands-on learning, applied knowledge, and it’s good for those two populations to get what they need.”

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Freshman Zeph Lipovsky works with a drill in carpentry class. Carpentry is one of the many CTE classes offered at First Flight. This being said, there’s a huge misconception attached to CTE – Career/Technical Education – classes. “I feel like that’s a misnomer, that the core classes are for some people and CTE is for the other people,” CTE coordinator Jennie Rook said. “My daughter went through all the health science classes, ended up at UNC Wilmington, became a nurse and makes more money than I do. She balanced advanced classes, but still was able to fit in the CTE because it provided experience in a career path that she was heading for.” Within First Flight there are 45-plus potential CTE classes to help students in specialized areas, two of the most popular being Health Science and Health Team

Relations. Depending on class size and availability, classes get added or removed. “I took Health Science I this year, where I learned all the body systems, and I’m going to take Health Science II next year,” junior Cassidy Joyce said. “That class focuses on medicine and learning about the body. It’s like anatomy, but I feel like it’s more in-depth about the medical aspect of it rather than just learning the parts of the body.” Ultimately, vocational classes can result in a breakthrough for those who feel that core classes are uninspiring. CTE classes also teach skills that students cannot attain from a normal classroom setting: some of these skills are essential in moving toward acquiring a job.

“Working as part of a team threads through every single thing in careers and in corporations in this country – your ability to work with others toward a common goal, and that’s something that I teach in here,” Saunders said. “We do that through intellectual projects as well as through real projects where the kids build buildings out back.” Students who lack the motivation to participate and do well in school may find a specialized setting more engaging, thus awakening a newfound sense of self-assurance and determination. “Students touch their passions and sometimes their passions are dormant within them, they don’t know that they had those passions until they get a chance to come in here and hit them,” Saunders said. It’s for that very reason that people believe adding more vocational classes to high schools will immensely benefit students. “I think it does a great thing for their sensibility and does amazing things for their feelings of self-confidence and self-reliance,” Saunders said. “I tell all my students, when you forget about that clock and all the sudden you look up and it’s 5:30 or 6 with whatever you’re doing, you step back and you think about it. That’s your body telling you in the most primal, visceral way, that you’re doing something that you might love. Pay attention to those things.” Junior Caroline Jenkins can be reached at jenkinsca0616@daretolearn.org. summer / / 2018

To go Greek or not to go Greek: What you should know By Hunter Haskett Business Manager

ollege decisions don’t stop when you pick the school you want to attend. Who do you want to live with? What dorm do you want to live in? What do you want to major in? And to add on to that ever-growing list is another important question: To go Greek or not to go Greek? The pros and cons of Greek life are debated both on and off college campuses. Some may see it as “paying for friends,” while others see it as an avenue of opportunities. “The overall experience is like nothing else, especially coming from high school and grade school,” First Flight alumna and current East Carolina University student Taylor Pruitt said. “It definitely opens doors for you that you probably wouldn’t push yourself to do without it.” Although appreciated by some, fraternities and sororities carry a stigma that deter others away from Greek life. People tend to associate these organizations with excessive partying and cruel hazing incidents, many of which make national headlines each year. “It’s guaranteed ‘brothers,’ so to say, and you get into parties,” senior Tyler Love said. “But I feel like there’s a lot of ways you can get into parties and get friends without having to join a fraternity or sorority.” Hazing, defined by Dictionary. com as “humiliating and sometimes dangerous initiation rituals,” has been prevalent in fraternities, more so than sororities, across the country. While some activities can seem trivial, initiation can also include drinking games that have resulted in the deaths of members due to alcohol poisoning. “I just think it’s weird: They’re supposed to be your ‘brothers for life,’ yet they’re punishing you because you’re younger. I guess it’s the mentality. I just don’t like hazing,” Love said. According to Franklin College journalism professor Hank Nuwer, 200 Greek life hazing deaths have happened since 1838, with 40 from just 2007 to 2017. Another downside to Greek life can be the price tag. The high cost is because fraternities and soror-

ities are organizations, so they collect dues from their members to contribute to housing costs, philanthropy events, formals and more. “The dues can be a lot and that can definitely be a financial burden for some people, but personally for my experience, I would say it was well worth it,” First Flight and UNC Chapel Hill alumna Katherine Ross said. “But again, that’s something that not everyone can necessarily deal with.” At UNC Chapel Hill, a fraternity’s room, board and dues averages $2,970 a semester, but can range from $1,600 to $5,000. For sororities, the average cost is $2,987 a semester but ranges from $2,575 to $3,407. Sometimes these figures are in line with what students would pay for room and board in a dorm. Though the price tag is lofty, there are options in place to help a student who’s interested in joining but who struggles financially. “If you’re paying for the sorority by yourself, and all sororities are like this, not just mine, they’ll have a treasurer,” Pruitt said. “Payment plans are a huge thing because that stuff I didn’t even think about as a high schooler, and the cool part is that they’re girls that are the same age as you, if not only one or two years above you, so you get comfortable with your money.” Despite the many students that oppose Greek life, there are still people who appreciate fraternities and sororities for the friendships, tradition and legacy that they bring. “I wasn’t dead set on joining anywhere, but when I went through recruitment, I fell in love with Kappa on day one and the girl that I talked to my first day actually ended up being my Grand Big,” Ross said. “She and I are still pretty close. I just went to her wedding a couple months ago.” Besides the social benefits that members gain from the experience, First Flight and Chapel Hill alumnus Patrick Lamb believes there are also real-world advantages to joining Greek life. “You meet more people that way. There’s hardly another way to go through college and meet more people,” Lamb said. “And it’s good networking for jobs, I mean that’s the whole point of college, to go find a job somewhere, and it makes

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration – news

First Flight alumna Taylor Pruitt (bottom right) poses with her Chi Omega sorority sisters at ECU on St. Patrick’s Day. Pruitt values how Greek life mixes fun and philanthropy, while others view fraternities and sororities as negative influences on college campuses. Photo submitted by Taylor Pruitt

it a lot easier to find a job if you know a lot of people.” Contrary to popular belief, fraternities and sororities weren’t created just for having a good time. They have been around for hundreds of years, with the first fraternity created in 1776 and the first sorority created in 1874, with goals to help others. “In every one of their bylaws, at the heart of them, they are philanthropy organizations. They all have a cause that they support,” Lamb said. Philanthropies of Greek organizations include fire safety; Reading is Fundamental, a campaign for literacy; and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. While these are the national philanthropies, fraternities or sororities can have more locally based ones as well. “I was particularly more close to our local philanthropy and it was started by a girl who was a Kappa at UNC,” Ross said. “She had breast cancer and she didn’t know it. So the philanthropy is called earlier.org and it raises money to develop tests to find breast cancer earlier.” To raise money for their different philanthropies, Greek organizations host multiple events throughout the year, including fun runs, golf tournaments, barbecue cook-offs, socials where alumni can donate and more. “We do a lot of philanthropy events, a lot of community ser-

vice – last week we played bingo at a nursing home,” Pruitt said. Aside from advocating for community involvement, Greek organizations also strive for academic rigor among their members. “We have a GPA standard that we have to uphold,” Lamb said. “The total average of the members’ GPA needs to be so high or you get put on probation.” While there are Greek organizations that don’t follow the rules, a good majority of them create men and women who are academically successful and give back to the community. “I think there’s obviously a stigma of Greek life about how it’s ‘paying for your friends,’ but I don’t see it that way,” senior Emma Strickland said. “I mean, there are some stereotypical sororities, but I think it’s a great way to make friends. It helps you meet a lot of people that are different but also similar.” So before you make your decision on whether or not you will join Greek life at your school, remember: Like anything else in life, think about the good and the bad aspects. “Meet new people, make new friends, opportunities – the opportunities are literally endless. We have connections across the world,” Pruitt said. Junior Hunter Haskett can be reached at hasketthu0318@daretolearn.org.

A larger systematic issue at play: sexual assault on campus By Hannah Ellington and Grace Sullivan Nighthawk News

Commentary about sexual assault on college campuses often focuses around Greek life. Fraternities across the nation have faced disciplinary action for hanging suggestive banners from their houses during move-in weekends, and it’s happened at colleges as close as Old Dominion. The battle to end rape culture on campuses needs to be led by vocal students, according to several Nighthawks interviewed for this story. Illustration by Lauren Kerlin/ Special to Nighthawk News

ut of a random sample of 102 First Flight seniors, 69.6 percent believe that sexual assault is not a primary concern for them when they go to college. According to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, however, 23.1 percent of female and 5.4 percent of male undergraduate students experience rape or sexual assault through physical force, violence or incapacitation. Additionally, national statistics of sexual assault may be skewed due to the fact that 95 percent of cases go unnoticed, unreported and swept under the rug, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. And here’s one more statistic: 21 First Flight seniors of the 102 surveyed know someone at college who has been sexually assaulted. This shows that of the 71 seniors not concerned – many of them may still know someone who has been sexually assaulted. “Sexual assault and rape can happen to everyone. No one is immune,” senior Kiersten Lewis said. Twelve FFHS seniors are planning to attend UNC Chapel Hill. While considered a beloved university by many, the college has one of the worst track records of sexual assault in the nation. According to “The Hunting Ground” – a renowned documentary from 2015 that highlights sexual assault on college campuses – UNC Chapel Hill has had 137 cases of sexual assaults reported, with zero expulsions. USA Today reported that in 2013, a UNC Chapel Hill sophomore faced possible expulsion for violating the school’s honor code by discussing

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her alleged sexual assault experience, which created an “intimidating environment for her ex-boyfriend.” This student spoke up about her rapist (without publicly naming him) and the school threatened to expel her. Shortly after FFHS alumna and current UNC Chapel Hill student Carla Hardy saw “The Hunting Ground,” she was out one night and ran into a girl from her class who was incoherent and being led away by a group of guys. “I was like, ‘Ah, red flag, red flag, red flag.’ So I ran up to her and we didn’t really know each other but I just followed her to this guy’s house because I was not letting her

1970 1972 Congress hears first cases on gender discrimination in education.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is passed by Congress and signed into law by Nixon. Under Title IX, gender discrimination is prohibited in any educational program or at any school that receives federal aid.

go alone,” Hardy said. “Thankfully, we got there, I got her some water and then I called us an Uber and we went home.” While Hardy was able to curb a potentially scary situation, this has become a reality for many girls at universities and colleges across the nation. “It’s deﬁnitely something on my mind,” Hardy said. “And I try to really look out for my friends as much as possible because I think that’s pretty much all you can do, to try to be as safe as you can and just make sure everybody gets home OK when you go out or try to minimize danger as much as possible.”

Based on her own experiences in college and what she saw in “The Hunting Ground,” Hardy wants campus officials to do more to protect students. “I love this place and I respect it enough to hold it accountable. I feel like I wouldn’t be doing the university justice if I just let it be,” Hardy said. “I would love to see that when I graduate, that this university is better than when I got here and that it will keep going in that direction.” For many, the first step in the right direction would involve reforming Greek life. “The Hunting Ground” documentary was filled with stories involving sexual

1977 1996 1998 Title IX is used for the first time regarding sexual harassment charges in Alexander v. Yale University. Case ruled that sexual harassment is prohibited under Title IX.

Doe v. Petaluma establishes that school districts are required to provide sexual harassment prevention training and districts must also set procedures for addressing harassment when it occurs.

In Gebser v. Lago, Supreme Court rules that students may sue a school for damages if sexually harassed by a teacher only if school official was aware of the misconduct at the time and acted with “deliberate indifference.” summer / / 2018

Photo courtesy of Chain Camera Pictures A still from ‘The Hunting Ground,’ a documentary illustrating the epidemic of sexual assault on college campuses, shows students at Columbia with their mouths taped shut rallying in front of mattresses to bring awareness to the issue. assault at fraternity parties, and a New York Times article in 2015 – written after a Brown University fraternity was shut down for four years following reports of spiked drinks at a party – asked the question “Is college sexual assault a fraternity problem?” The article quoted an Oklahoma University professor, John D. Foubert, whose research into sexual assault “has shown that fraternity men are three times more likely to commit sexual assault than other college men.” Hardy said there’s a common theme running through Greek life that she sees. “Frats hold that idea that, ‘Oh, I’m in a frat, I have these parties, I have this power so I can do whatever I want, I can get away with it and I can hide behind the fact that I have this frat and no one is going to report me because they don’t want to be blacklisted,’ or, ‘I have this group of people that are going to protect me,’ ” Hardy explained. Lewis will be attending North

Carolina State University, which is just miles from Chapel Hill but has reportedly fewer sexual assault cases on the campus. Still, the problems that arise from even one sexual assault on a college campus will hold lasting effects on individuals. “You could be ruining their life, and if not their entire life then a very influential portion of their life,” Lewis said. “This is the time where you’re supposed to grow and figure things out, so when you throw a wrench like sexual assault into that, how could you do that?” To combat sexual assault on campus, universities throughout the country must uphold Title IX, a federal civil rights law which simply states that no person in the United States shall be excluded from, denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program on the basis of sex. In the 1990s, Supreme Court rulings expanded Title IX to include the reporting of sexual assaults on college campuses. If a

university does not uphold the law, it may lose federal funding. A series of Title IX complaints in the last decade have been ﬁled against Yale University, Amherst College, UNC Chapel Hill, Arizona State, the University of Colorado and the University of Southern California, each citing hostility or indifference from university ofﬁcials toward sexual assault victims. Although sexual assault on college campuses remains a widespread issue, there are steps being taken to protect students. Many universities have Blue Lights, which are pillars with emergency lights on top and call buttons to notify the police of your exact location. They are placed in such a way that at least one can be seen from anywhere on campus. UNC Chapel Hill includes these precautions, as well as a few others. “The university has a thing called SafeWalk, which is like if you’re walking around late at night on campus there are volunteers who will essentially walk you from

the library to your dorm and make sure you get home OK,” Hardy said. “There’s also a bus system that runs at night that is marketed as speciﬁcally trying to be a safety measure because it makes stops where all the freshmen live and where all the freshmen are going out at night.” Despite precautions such as these, stories of sexual assault at universities across the nation continue to make headlines. “It seems like such a larger systematic issue of the public university system in general that I feel like it’s going to take some landmark case to really cause some sort of permanent change,” Hardy said. Statistically speaking, sexual assault does happen mostly to women, but men can be forgotten about and told that their rape stories are “fake.” For FFHS alumnus and current UNC Chapel Hill student Brady Creef, this lack of male representation in the conversation about sexual assault is something he has had to accept. “It is different (being a man and gay) speciﬁcally because when people think about sexual assault, a lot of times men get left out of the conversation,” Creef said. “So people talking about sexual assault need to realize that it happens to a lot of people, men and women, that are straight and LGBTQ. It’s an issue that affects a lot of people and needs a collective effort to be stopped.” As seniors prepare for college, many have learned that sexual assault is a real problem, wherever one goes to school. Many also realize the need for change arises in the students, not the college itself. “(The university) is never going to talk about sexual assault unless it is talked about by the students who are quite vocal,” Creef said. Juniors Hannah Ellington and Grace Sullivan can be reached at ellingtonha1214@daretolearn.org or sullivangr1129@daretolearn.org.

Graphic by Arabella Saunders/Nighthawk News

1999 2001 2011 2014 2017 2018 Davis v. Monroe County Board of Education establishes that Title IX permits lawsuits pertaining to studenton-student sexual harassment only if school officials were aware at the time and acted with “deliberate indifference.”

Title IX is updated to make clear that schools risk losing federal funding if they fail to follow the guidelines for investigating student sexual harassment and assault complaints.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration – news

Department of Education issues statement reaffirming that Title IX’s protection against sexual assault extends to athletes. Requires that athletic departments handle cases using same procedures that apply to all students.

White House Task Force to Protect Students Against Sexual Assault releases report, “Not Alone,” which urges universities to increase action taken against sexual assault on campus.

Under Trump administration, Title IX undergoes many changes such as doing away with Obama-era mediation prohibition and the strict 60-day investigation window.

Despite the evolution of Title IX since its enactment in 1972, many students are still left wondering, “Is my school adhering to Title IX in regard to sexual assault, and if not, why are there no repercussions?”

Information compiled from equalrights.org by Arabella Saunders/Nighthawk News

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Q: What is your favorite part about teaching? A: “Kids. It changes every year. They make me laugh and it was a balance between teaching middle school and high school with graduation and the culmination and seeing that is huge. And thinking you make a difference in someone’s life, I pretend I may, that’s huge. What’s neat about teaching is it’s never the same every year because it’s a different group and it’s never the same every day.”

Pat Taylor

Receptionist

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Q: Why have yo u decided to retire? A: “Through th e years, a variet y of people have to ld me that I w ould just know whe n it was time to retire, and they were right. It’s just time! I’m read y to create my own schedule and be able to do thin gs spontaneously. Do some travel ing. Tackle the list of projects wai ting for me, have a new adventure. ”

summer / / 2018

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in life? for you t x e n at’s Q: Wh nre volu do mo nected o t g goin con ay A: “I’m want to stay it in a w I , o g d l in r il d w o tee I g t y ol. Bu ‘Oh m to scho going, I will be t o n I’m done.’ wn where get this ts on at my o o t d e e c je In o r p take able to ” . pace

Q: If you coul d give advice to anyone hoping to one day be an educator, wha t would it be? A: “That it’s th e best. I mean you hear a lot about we don’ t have enough pa y and yes, you get frustrated because you ha ve all of these resp onsibilities, bu t people who ar e passionate ab out education stay in it for the long haul despite al l of that becaus e they love it.”

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Information compiled by Ashlee Geraghty, Reagan Pearson, Cassidy O’Neil and Trinity Harrison/Nighthawk News Graphic by Arabella Saunders/Nighthawk News Graphic by Vega Sproul/Special to Nighthawk News

at l a n t ic da nc e

ays D d l O d o o The G V 2 0 1 8 da nce r ec ita l

Atlantic Dance presents its 23rd annual recital at First Flight High School’s David E. Oaksmith Jr. Auditorium.

Friday, June 1st, at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 2nd, at 1 and 5 252-441-9009 AtlanticDance.com NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration

Readers sound off in letters to the editors A sweet sayonara to our beloved seniors on staff

Editors-in-Chief – Beverly Murry, Arabella Saunders, Alex Rodman Business Manager – Hunter Haskett News Editors – Suzanne Harrison, Hannah Ellington Features Editor – Chloe Futrell Online Editors – Trinity Harrison, Cassidy O’Neil Opinions Editor – Meghan Savona Photo Editor – Michaela Kelly Sports Editor – Sophie Johnson Social Media Editors– Grace Sullivan, Ashlee Geraghty Graphics Editor – Dagen Gilbreath Photographer – Buzzy Staten Staff Writers – Kristen Applebaum, Julia Bachman, Caroline Jenkins, Will McFarlane, Dair McNinch, Simone Midgett, Shelby Miller, Reagan Pearson, Izzy Requa, Courtney Tillett, Gray Tillett, Emmy Trivette, Koral Tucker, Kejsi Zyka. Adviser – Steve Hanf

ighthawk News Magazine is published four times a year by the journalism classes at First Flight High School. The publication is distributed free to the FFHS student body, faculty and staff and to First Flight Middle. Approximately 4,000 copies are inserted in the Outer Banks Sentinel, while another 1,200 are distributed in various retail outlets on the Outer Banks. The Nighthawk News staff strives to provide informative and accurate coverage of individuals and events within the school and the Dare County community. The opinion pages serve as a forum for the publications staff and community. Views expressed in Nighthawk News do not represent the opinions of the faculty or administration, the Dare County School Board or its administration. Editorials represent the views of the staff; 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. Target Printing and Distribution of Fayetteville prints our paper. Nighthawk News subscribes to Tribune News Service to provide national and international stories, photos and/ or graphics to our readers for print and online.

eniors, as you leave behind Nighthawk News and head toward the next chapter of your lives, we wish to reﬂect on the inspiring qualities we see in each one of you that motivate us to achieve greatness. Thank you, Michaela, for always coming to class with a lively “Good morning!” – even if you are late. For your cheerful attitude and the distinct bag of red and green peppers that smell like they just came fresh out of the ground. Most of all, thank you for your fantastic photography skills that have contributed greatly to Nighthawk News and your willingness to drop everything and go take pics when we are in a bind. Thank you, Ashlee, for your constant dedication to Nighthawk News and tackling the stories that no one else wants to do. For continuously working hard during design week and cranking out spreads. For being the Republican voice we need on our staff and never being bashful about it even when (most) others disagree. Thank you, Dagen, for being the backbone of our graphic designs, as you have time and time again saved our lives. For having strong opinions and consistently helping during the brainstorming process. For making absurd references that only you understand. Thank you, Meghan, for being one of the main voices of Nighthawk News. For your opinion pieces

that bring light and hope to issues that affect us locally and globally. For being a mentor for many people on staff. For your radiant presence that not only shines in newspaper but throughout the school as well. Thank you, Suzanne, for being the mom of the group and always having something nice or comforting to say. For your eagerness to help people at any and all times. For living up to your title as News Editor because of your constant drive for journalism and the CNN article always pulled up on your Chromebook. Thank you, Alex, for the constant smile on your face. For being a brainiac and providing helpful tips when editing our stories. For being humble, even though you are going to Columbia for being the best track star First Flight has ever seen. For not only being a state champion, but the champion of our hearts. Thank you, Beverly, for being the sergeant-at-arms of Nighthawk News and keeping everyone on track. For (almost) always making it to ﬁrst period even though you don’t have to. For always having a sarcastic remark that cracks up the class, even when it is silent. For lending a helping hand and devoting time and effort to each edition. Thank you, Arabella, for being the glue of Nighthawk News. For continuing the streak of NC Journalist of the Year and then pushing even further and achieving the runner-up for national Journalist of the Year. For your award-winning See LETTERS, Page 38

Hawk Talk: Seniors, as you leave high school

“The one thing I will always remember is the pep rally my freshman year, having to cheer in front of the whole school.” – senior Kayla Chamorro

“Going to support the seniors at their soccer game in the ﬁnals.” – senior Tom Sumner

“Probably when I went to Italy and got to study music for a couple weeks. I applied to a conservatory, La Sinfonia, and got in.” – senior Brooke Kelly

“I think the most memorable moment in high school was the ﬁrst day of our freshman year when Coach Prince did his ‘I am Somebody’ speech.’ ” – senior Malia Garber

summer / / 2018

Our View: Newspaper seniors impart wisdom before they depart

on’t let other people dictate your life. Not just in high school, but also in life, you will have numerous voices in your ear trying to tell what you should and shouldn’t do, and it is so important to not let them inﬂuence your decisions. If there is something you truly feel passionate about, don’t let anybody stop you from what you want. This is your life and it is up to you to make yourself happy, despite how others may feel about it. – Ashlee Geraghty

Take it piece by piece. For rising seniors, don’t overwhelm yourself with college applications and recommendation letters and transcripts without acknowledging those who are writing your recommendation letters and editing your essays. Enjoy every bit of what high school can offer, because it truly goes by in a ﬂash. – Suzanne Harrison

Recognize when it’s time to quit something; it’s easy to continue with a habit simply because nothing has forced you to stop it. Being able to Don’t take life so recognize when you’re seriously. You will make becoming complacent, mistakes. It’s inevitable. just going through the You’ll trip up the stairs, motions or not enjoying embarrass yourself in an activity is an admiSTAFF front of your crush and rable ability, and we EDITORIAL talk with bits of food shouldn’t feel like we stuck between your teeth. The most have to continue something just beimportant thing is to not only learn cause it’s expected of us. This year from these awkward experiences, has allowed me to find where my but to laugh at them, and surround talents lay and capitalize on them. yourself with people who will laugh Experiencing setbacks is inevitable, with you. Be shameless (I know, but learning to be content with your easier said than done). But do your current position in life will allow best to cherish the time you spend you to grow because of a situation, in high school, absorb the knowlinstead of becoming stuck in a cycle edge that floats through this school of frustration. – Meghan Savona and honestly, remember how lucky you are to be here. – Alex Rodman Apply to the colleges you genuinely want to apply to, Take high school bit by bit, or not where your parents, friends, as my family likes to say, stone by teachers and counselors think you stone. Do not get overwhelmed with should apply. Worry about the cost, everything that you feel you need yes. Worry about distance from to conquer all at once. For rising home, yes. Worry about presjuniors, do not panic when trying tige – to an extent – yes. Listen to sign up for your first AP classes, to others’ advice, yes. But when it while also studying for the SAT, comes down to filling out all those while also trying to figure out where Common Apps, spend time on the schools that would make you you want to go to college next year.

IN OUR OPINION

Photo by Buzzy Staten/Nighthawk News Nighthawk News senior editors: (from back left) Ashlee Geraghty, Dagen Gilbreath, Meghan Savona; (front) Suzanne Harrison, Beverly Murry, Arabella Saunders. Not pictured: Alex Rodman, Michaela Kelly. genuinely excited if you receive an acceptance letter a few months later. Trust your gut and forget about the schools that you feel obligated to apply to only because someone else is telling you that’s what you should do. – Arabella Saunders Forget what people think about you. The more you surrender that largely irrational fear and be yourself, the more fun you’ll have. It took me four years to realize it, but it is one of the most important things I have learned while in high school. For example, at prom this year, I looked like an absolute fool dancing with my friends, but I had the most fun I’ve ever had because I didn’t care if people thought I looked stupid. And the people who are judging you are only hindering their own happiness and overall ability to

appreciate the little things in life that made it all worthwhile. I know it sounds cliché, but live in the moment and stop being scared of who you are. – Beverly Murry Try and pursue as many things that interest you as possible. Classes, clubs and athletics can be some of the best things you do in high school. Don’t be afraid to try new things and pursue new hobbies. Apply for engaging clubs that look fun to you, keep up with athletics and do extracurricular classes that interest you. High school is not just about grades. It’s about experience and gaining important skills both socially and academically. Most importantly, don’t stress yourself out too hard. Enjoy it as much as you can because although it might not seem like it, it ﬂies by. – Dagen Gilbreath

behind, what has been your favorite memory?

“Junior year for marching band, our show was Stevie Wonder and in the show for one of the songs me and three other saxophones had to run to the stands and play.” – senior Carmen Chinchilla

“My best memory in high school is probably in Model UN my junior year with Mack Doebler.” – senior Joey McNamara

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration – opinions

“Probably the state championship for cross country. It was very exciting and such a great place to be.” – senior Hunter Snyder

“I would have to say Homecoming all four years. It was the most fun I’ve ever had.” – senior Genesis Mejia-Jimenez

Letters, From Page 36 writing that inspires us all to become better journalists. For learning how to do amazing graphics in just one year and then striving to curate the perfect spreads and perfect editions. For always pushing the boundaries of what you believe in and never letting anything bring you down. Thank you, seniors, for everything you have done for Nighthawk News. We are so excited to see what you accomplish, and wish you all the best as you embark on the next step in your life. And please – don’t be a stranger to room B-214. – the Nighthawk News juniors

Hey, Class of 2018, let’s take a look back on our FFHS careers

ongrats, Class of 2018! The time is finally here, the time we have all been waiting for. Or have we? Although many of us have talked about the dreadfulness of our classes or begged for the end of the year, there are many things that high school has so dearly blessed us with. So, let’s reflect on the wild ride of public school. I think our grade’s bond began in middle school. After most of us were lucky to have our parents drop us off in the mornings, we all faced the agonizing minutes of below-zero temperatures, rain, snow or the heat from the devil. But nevertheless, we suffered together. After the doors opened is when the real fun began. From a rock being flushed down a toilet to someone launching themselves in a mop bucket off the lunchroom stairs, it was safe to say our future after middle school was more than bright. After the fart bombs were done smelling on the DC bus, we finally “graduated” and were headed into the big guy, high school. Finally some freedom, right? I mean, we were basically adults now, almost 15! Back when free time in the library was more than just a dream, but a reality. Remember when we were the first to get a freshman float (and win), all the while dressed like highlighters under the name of “Flawless Freshman”? Who can forget. Keep in mind, too, we still had to have our parents take us to our holy place every Friday night: the movie theater. For me, sophomore year was a complete blur. Like, what even happened? All I know is our float was an ultimate disaster and most of us finally got our licenses. Now, this is my own opinion, but junior year was our prime. I mean, we literally had a class mascot, “The Cheapord.” This was the time of tailgates, Jungle Juniors, state champs and Obama. It was finally time we got our share at being the older kids, where we could finally walk the halls with confidence. And now were here, almost done with First Flight Forever. The beginning was the end of many things: pep rallies, Empower Time, homecoming theme and now, our Busch Gardens trip. Looking back on it, they were things of too little importance to matter now. Instead, we are here, focusing on the times we will remember forever and making the memories that will last a lifetime. With memories come thank yous. I would like to thank all of you guys, for letting me – the overjoyed slide-and-fuzzy-sock-wearing freak – willingly represent you all. If there is anything that this grade has taught me, it’s to be accept-

ing of all people, no matter how badly they sing “Don’t Stop Believing” – or believing they are actually part squirrel. Although I cannot give a speech at graduation, I wanted to take the time to talk about how awesome we are. I want to talk about the students pursuing college athletics. I want to gloat about the StageKraft kids who worked their tails off to put on AMAZING shows. I want to thank the marching band for working themselves almost to death to put on a halftime show that kept me more hyper than ever. I want to vote for all the leaders of clubs/organizations that represented this school and our grade. But out of all of these things, I want every one of you to be proud of yourself, because we have all made it to this moment. Wherever you go after school – college, work or even Hogwarts – I hope you carry yourself in the best way you can: just being you. There is no time to retire what you love just because high school has ended. I know it’s not the last time I will slip into my squirrel costume. Be happy for the memories made. Be grateful for the friends, teachers and mentors you met. Cherish the education you received from this school because we are always going to be FFF, forever. Also, don’t forget to recycle! Thanks. – senior Savannah Wallace

Acknowledging the gender gap in STEM in order to close the rift

hen you think of STEM, the acronym describing fields in science, technology, engineering and math, does your mind immediately resort to the classic image of a nerdy man, dressed in a lab coat and goggles, hunched over some chemical concoction? I’m guessing many of you gave a silent confirmation to my subtle description of how STEM should look. This subconscious bias toward the image of STEM that we all possess is what led me to choose the topic of my senior project. As a woman going into engineering, I became curious about the common misconceptions of these fields. It led me to question, “Where are the women in STEM?” In my research, I was baffled to find such a grim outlook on the future for women in STEM. After reading through countless stories of gender discrimination and noticing the shockingly low statistics on women in STEM – with less than 25 percent occupying the broad range of fields – I took it upon myself to find ways in which we can inspire women to overcome the harsh gender disparity. I have always had a natural inclination toward STEM, even in my elementary years. My eagerness to discover the vast realm of science and applied mathematics was largely self-driven. However, I recognize now that without encouragement from my dad and science teachers, I may not have stuck to the STEM path I find myself on today. My dad made sure I was exposed to a variety of fields in STEM by encouraging me to sign up for academic camps starting in my freshman year. Biosciences, engineering, 3D printing and genetics fed my curiosity and kept me intrigued.

Science 19%

Engineering 19%

Computer Science 18%

Mathematics: 42% Graphic by Dagen Gilbreath/Nighthawk News Women in STEM fields make up an incredibly small percentage of the American work force according to data compiled from Slate.com. Yes, the camps I went to always had an overwhelmingly small ratio of females to males, but I was more focused on the material than the classroom of boys surrounding me. My science teachers, starting with our outdoor classroom in elementary school, made sure to support me in all of my academic endeavors. They were thrilled to see a young girl with such a keen interest in STEM. However, this life I lead is lucky. Many other girls with the same passion for science never signed up for these academic camps and were not consistently supported by their parents and teachers. Their curiosity was hindered as they were driven away from STEM by strong biases and stereotypes. From my own experience and through research, I know that we, as women in STEM, must alleviate the growing inequality by inspiring girls at an elementary level to pursue STEM. This can be accomplished through constant encouragement, STEM based programs for girls, and the introduction of female role models that are involved in STEM. The Nighthawk News staff has been outstanding this school year by delving into bold, relevant topics. I have learned something unique from each edition and I want to personally thank the editors for dedicating a part of our senior edition to women in STEM. Ada Byron, the first computer programmer; Jocelyn Burnell, discoverer of the pulsar; Rosalind Franklin, a crystallographer known to have produced research that impacted our understanding of DNA; and countless other admirable women have made pivotal changes in STEM that largely go unrecognized. Unveiling the female faces of STEM within and beyond this community will give us the much-needed exposure to hopefully inspire the next generation of girls in STEM. – senior Ida Greenlee summer / / 2018

Ladies and gentlemen of the Class of 2018...

Good evening, my name is Beverly Murry and will never give a graduation speech, at tonight I would like to take a moment to talk least not on June 8 as I graduate from high about us. After all, I was taught to write about school. And I’m OK with the simple fact people, not places. I believe my class offers a that I won’t be on stage, as are many of my wide range of characters, all with the possibility peers who also will be spectators. of bright futures. We have As the sun sets on our high done amazing things, such school careers, we will sit in as organizing empowering white plastic folding chairs walk-outs, and utterly stupid on the football field as those things, like charging Juuls via deemed “worthy” of deliverChromebooks in the library. ing speeches will be proudly We’re not perfect. My purshowcased on a collapsible pose is not to diminish and stage – literally put on a tear down our class, but it’s pedestal. As their families the truth no one would dare beam down from the stands, Nighthawk Notions say. I am here, however, to the speakers will dramatiBeverly Murry recognize those forgotten and cally discuss how much we tossed to the wayside. have grown in four years, how With 164 students in our class, it’s easy to much we have accomplished, how much the get lost. We are a class that’s more than just future holds. We as onlookers, some with tears good grades, even though we are one of the in our eyes, will nod in agreement, as if their most competitive classes. We are more than words really made a difference in our lives. the jock, the princess, the basket case, nerd But do the people on stage really represent or criminal in terms of “The Breakfast Club” our class? Do their words resonate with the stereotypes. And the people who don’t fit these rest of us? Yes, some of them have genuinely prefabricated molds are the ones most don’t worked hard to earn a place; however, I feel recognize. I appreciate the quiet kids in the back that some could be left off while others should of classrooms, the girls in STEM, the talented be recognized. musicians, the drama kids, those who have I know so many people who are deserving of overcome both mental and physical hurdles to a space, but since I and many others are not one sit here, the first-generation college students, of the nine or so worthy enough, I will take it the ones paying their own way through college, upon myself to deliver a speech. A speech that the athletes who don’t win every award, the will recognize those forgotten, no matter how kids who like to read, students who work hard big or small their role, and one that I hope will to earn their grades, the ones who dance, sing, stick with readers after leaving the nest of First paint, draw, write. And so many more. The ones Flight. who make our class what it is. The ones not rep***

resented by the students on stage and the ones who are often left out of receiving praise. While this vast under-appreciation is disheartening, it does not belittle the accomplishments achieved, passions sparked and overall value of these students. Just because some of these people won’t be recognized by colored cords or standing on the stage does not mean their value is any less or any more. And for those of you who do think they are below you, rethink your values. Finally, I would like to thank everyone. Believe it or not, we all have one thing in common: We are the Class of 2018. Most of us grew up together. We have a shared past of watching Marcelo Munoz soar down the cafeteria steps of First Flight Middle in a faded yellow mop bucket, “graduating” middle school, participating in the iconic “I am Somebody” speech, surviving the terrifying experience that was Driver’s Ed, dancing in a giant circle to “Drops of Jupiter” at prom, and so many other moments. As the door shuts on this chapter of our lives, don’t forget the things that made our class ... our class. We are unique. No other class will be quite as defiant as us, or as smart or as funny as us. High school may not have been everyone’s glory days, but there’s at least one memory we all have that we will never forget. And I urge everyone to cling to that. Hold on to what was good and let the bad go. After we walk off the stage tonight and fling our overpriced and ridiculous hats in the air, congratulate your peers. We all did this. We all graduated. Congratulations, from me to you. Senior Beverly Murry can be reached at murrybe0316@daretolearn.org.

The college struggle that begins before the first day

his is her. I have finally found the perfect person after glaring at my cell phone screen for hours. I click on the one button holding me back from finding a life-long friend, a person I can have matching Halloween costumes with, someone I can always go to when I need help. I construct the perfect sentence, “Hi, my name is Suzanne and I saw your profile on the college Facebook page, it sounds like we have a lot in common…” And then the waiting begins. After what seems like days, a message pops up. My fingers click on the unopened notification, only for my eyes to roll so far back in my head I fear they will get stuck. The reply is short and sweet: “Sorry, I already have a roommate.” I am forced to return back to the beginning, refreshing my Instagram page in hopes of finding someone to live with. This process compares to a dating app, but is so

Nighthawk Notions Suzanne Harrison much worse. Finding a roommate seems to be the one struggle every college forgets to tell you about. Sure, I can always do a random survey to match with a roommate – but what if I end up with someone who can’t sleep unless every single light is on? Or someone who walks around the room naked? Those questions are not listed on any survey and are the questions that I want answered before I make a decision about who I want to live with for almost a full year of my life.

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration – opinions

Colleges try to make it easier for you by setting up social media pages, so I’m able to share four pictures of myself while also listing my favorite movies and TV shows. This is obviously the best way to judge someone’s character. Somehow, this only adds to the struggle. When you think you’ve finally found someone normal, chances are their Instagram and Facebook will tell you otherwise. Patience is key when it comes to the process of finding a roommate. But if you’re anything like me, patience does not come naturally. Instead, panic replaces it: “If I don’t find a roommate I’m going to be stuck with someone super strange” is logical in my mind. Even though chances of this happening are slim, still – there is always a chance. As I continue on this never-ending road of judging people in order to find someone to live with, I wish those of you on the same journey

Photo Illustration by Suzanne Harrison/Nighthawk News as me the best of luck in finding a roommate. Senior Suzanne Harrison can be reached at harrisonsu0716@daretolearn.org.

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summer / / 2018

Ashley Mercer: quiet personality, loud accomplishments

By Shelby Miller Staff Writer

rom being tossed in the air during sideline cheerleading to tumbling down the basketball court, senior Ashley Mercer proves that she can do it all when it comes to cheer. In the classroom, however, the powerful voice that belts out catchy chants on the football field is nowhere to be found. Mercer describes herself as quiet and usually keeps to herself during school hours, but her introverted personality doesn’t hold her back when it comes to her favorite sport. “Cheerleading has made me into the person that I am today. Without cheer I honestly don’t know how my life would be,” Mercer said. “I definitely believe it has brought me out of my shell this year.” The 2017-2018 all-conference varsity cheerleader practiced every week during the fall and winter sports season, cheering for the varsity football and varsity men’s and women’s basketball teams. Mercer’s commitment to the sport she loves shined when she was on three different teams in one season. “I traveled to Virginia Beach two to three times a week for the Fame Allstars competitive team while I was on the basketball cheer and school competitive teams. I would wake up, go to school, go to school cheer practice and then leave for Virginia right after,” Mercer said. “It was hard balancing it all, but I wouldn’t change any of it.” Though balancing three cheer teams is time consuming, another important aspect of her life is her education. Mercer has decided to major in nursing at Hawaii Pacific University. “I’m moving to Hawaii and living with my aunt and attending college out there to get my associates in nursing,” Mercer said. “After two years, I’ll be moving back to ECU to go into their nursing program.” Becoming a nurse has always been a dream of Mercer’s. “I love to help people, and I chose neonatal nursing because of losing my cousin,” Mercer said. “Ever since then I’ve always wanted to help sick babies.” While touring Hawaii Pacific University in March, Mercer showed an interest in the college’s tumbling and acrobatics team. Her

Photo by Aaron Jennings/Special to Nighthawk News Ashley Mercer cheers during a home football game against Edenton. Mercer’s school and competitive cheerleading career prompted her to join the acrobatics and tumbling team at Hawaii Pacific University, where she will attend school. mother, Valerie, is more than excited about this decision. “I’m so excited to see Ashley’s dreams come true. The acrobatic and tumbling team will be a whole new adventure for her,” Valerie said. “I can’t wait to see her fly on that team and to have the experience of traveling with them all over the U.S.” During Mercer’s first year, she will be trying different spots so she can find her fit on the team. “I’m going to be a flyer and I’ll be traveling all over the country,” Mercer said. “I can’t wait.” With big changes comes a lot of excitement, as well as nerves. “I’m most nervous about Ashley being so far away from her family. Ashley loves to spend time with all of her family, so seeing them just at Christmas and summertime will be hard,” Valerie said. “I am very thankful her aunt will be there with her! That helps calm my nerves.” Mercer has a lot to look forward to when she moves across the country to follow her dreams. “I’m a little nervous about starting over and making new friends,” Mercer said. “But I can’t wait to live in Hawaii and start my career and life.” Junior Shelby Miller can be reached millersh0814@daretolearn. org.

NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration – sports

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From teammates to rivals By Sophie Johnson Sports Editor

racing the roots of this wrestling story means going back to the beginning – the very beginning – for seniors Arien Leigh and Jeremiah Derby. “Funny story is that we met each other in daycare when we were babies,” Derby explained. “We never started wrestling each other until high school, freshman year.” Their friendship over the years has also brought competitiveness and a desire to train harder. And from those humble beginnings – perhaps grappling over the same toy as toddlers? – to winning state championships for the Nighthawks, their competitive fire will carry into college as Leigh attends Duke University and Derby heads to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “I feel it’s awesome that we also get the aspect of being on rival teams, but just because we’re on rival teams doesn’t mean that we don’t have a great friendship still,” Leigh said. Derby started wrestling when he was 4 and his dad, David Derby, was a professional MMA fighter. His father trained him to get where he is now. “I knew I wanted him to have that wrestling to learn how to control his body, and for self-defense and for fitness,” David said. Head coach Russell Kepler also trained both athletes to help prepare them for what lay ahead. “You always question whether you’re prepared. There was no question at any time in my mind if these guys were ever ready,” Kepler said. “They just really prepared themselves all the way around to be champions. You put in all that work and it’s just a matter of, ‘Can you get it done in that one match?’ ” Leigh won a state championship his junior year. Derby took titles as a sophomore and senior. Both intend to keep their winning ways going strong on college mats. “I think it’s a great accomplishment, just going to my dream school, still getting to wrestle, because only about 1 percent of athletes go to college and play a sport,” Leigh said. “So I think that it’s pretty cool that I still get to have five more years to compete, which is awesome.”

Leigh has big plans with the Blue Devils. “My goal for college is to at least be a four-time All-American, that’s my minimum. I definitely know it’s going to be a lot of work getting there, especially going in freshman year, but it’s doable,” Leigh said. Derby has similar intentions. He already has those two state championship rings, but still has room for more. “You try to look forward to competing at world and Olympic levels, but you don’t want to look too forward at the same time because you want to be in the moment and stay realistic,” Derby said. “I also have boxing and the mixed martial arts side of things, so I’m definitely looking at going pro there, going to the UFC.” Thinking ahead to life after college can be a scary thought for most, but wrestling gives these athletes something to keep them grounded. “It’s gonna be a lot of hard work to come ahead in college,” Derby said. “But it’s something you can’t explain to people when you’ve put in so many hours and so many years on the mat. Anybody can win a match, but not anybody can win a match at the highest level. It’s something special.” Leigh will major in computer science and hopes to work for the National Security Agency, or perhaps go to law school with the hopes of becoming a judge one day. “I want to come out with a great education as well as a great mentality from the sport of wrestling to set me through life,” Leigh said. “All the challenges that I can conquer because I’ve wrestled in college at the highest level, putting in all that work and knowing that nothing can stand in my way with all the work I can put in.” Derby is majoring in studio art and plans on being a professional boxer or professional MMA fighter. But for him, there’s more to it than just boxing or wrestling. “I just wanna help people. I wanna be somebody that people can look up to and somebody that is trying to change the world for the better, so no matter what I’m doing I’m gonna be sharing my faith and sharing my beliefs to the world and trying to help the world for the better,” Derby said.. Junior Sophie Johnson can be reached at johnsonso0628@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Seniors Arien Leigh (left) and Jeremiah Derby sign to wrestle at Duke and UNC Chapel Hill, respectively. After wrestling as teammates in high school, the pair will now be attending rival schools.

summer / / 2018

Hughes’ Division I dream comes true

By Dair McNinch Staff Writer

ome say that work ethic measures the potential of an athlete. Others argue that having natural ability is the only way to get anywhere. When someone has a little bit of both, however, they’ll quickly learn that the only limitations they have are the ones they set for themselves. For senior star Braxton Hughes, these limits have never existed, and this absence as well as his combined talent and work ethic have recently led him to the next step in his dream to become a college athlete. In April, Hughes signed with the University of Richmond to play Division I football. This coming season, he’ll be attending the school as a preferred walk-on, with hopes of working hard enough to eventually earn a scholarship. “I was extremely excited (about the offer). I wasn’t sure where I was going to go to school at the time, and being a Division I athlete had been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember,” Hughes said. With this dream in mind, Hughes has been a focused athlete since an early age. “I had heard several things about how good an athlete he was, but it wasn’t until the seventh game of his freshman year when he was alternating some at quarterback,” First Flight football coach Jim Prince said. “He completed three or four passes against Hertford, which I knew separated him from the rest of the pack.” At the time Hughes was a freshman, Hertford had a secondary not to be tangled with. “It’s been a true joy to watch him get better and better,” Prince said. While Prince enjoyed seeing Hughes’ progression, the quarterback heavily credits his coach to getting him where he currently is. “Coach Prince helped me through everything: He made me a smarter quarterback, he made me better skill wise, he even helped me with recruiting,” Hughes said. “If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am now.” Hughes’ humility toward his achievements doesn’t just stop at crediting his coach, he also expresses the impact his teammates

have had. “Everybody that I’ve played with has been so influential and supportive. Without being on a team as good as the one I was, I don’t know where I’d be,” Hughes said. No matter who he decides to credit for his success, Hughes’ Division I signing is an accomplishment rarely seen at First Flight. His anticipation for what’s to come is even greater than the excitement the community feels after having watched him lead his team through the years. “I met the quarterback coach and the line coach and they showed us around campus and just told us all about their program. I feel like they’re going to be really good and it seems like it’s going to be a lot of hard work, but I’m down for it,” Hughes said. Hard work is something Hughes is no stranger to, and most all who have gotten the chance to work with him in football, basketball and baseball would agree. “I think his work ethic is everything,” Prince said. “I think there was never a time he backed off.” Not only did coaches take notice of his impeccable drive, but his teammates – and the wide receivers in particular – did as well. “We’d go out in the summer after practice and just throw every

Photo by Michaela Kelly/Nighthawk News Quarterback Braxton Hughes prepares to throw the football to a teammate during a game. Hughes has been a stand-out player and character when leading his team, and will continue playing football at University of Richmond this fall. day,” junior Ethan Driver said. “It’d feel like it was a hundred degrees and we’d still go out there. He’d throw me to death, and that’s kinda when I realized that this kid could play in college. He just had that want to do a little bit more than everyone else to be as good as he could be.” Hughes is facing a completely different setting when he steps on

the field next year, and while the unknown may be exciting for him, two things about Hughes are certain: he won’t be forgotten at First Flight for a long time, and if he continues to work the way he has the rest of his life, there’s nothing he won’t be able to accomplish. Junior Dair McNinch can be reached at mcninchle1121@daretolearn.org.

Photo by Aaron Jennings/Special to Nighthawk News Senior Braxton Hughes looks out over the field during a game against Pasquotank. This summer, instead of baseball games at FFHS, Hughes will leave for the University of Richmond to begin his Division I football career.

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration – sports

Students: Find your perfect summer job here! A Plus Cleaning is looking for people to help clean cottages on the weekends and possibly some weekdays. Starting pay is $13 an hour. They must have a car, cell phone and email address. Contact Dottie at 252-267-1121 or apluscleaningobx@yahoo.com. Beach Braids is offering summer employment on a part-time basis. It will entail up to 25 hours per week in the Nags Head, Duck or Corolla shops, Monday through Friday for either morning or afternoon shifts. 1st shift - 9:45 to 3:30, 2nd shift - 3:30 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday hours available if interested. We will train – no experience necessary. The job involves creating hair wraps, applying henna tattoos and various styles of braiding and cornrows. Hourly or a commission-based compensation will be offered after the candidate has completed training. Candidates should create a cool-looking tips jar .... our customers can be very generous! Please call our Duck location at 252261-3769 or text 757-572-3797 with your name and we will call you back.

Beach Treasures in Duck is looking for sales, register and merchandising assistance. We would love to hire teachers! Our seasonal positions ﬁt perfectly with a teacher’s down time. We are also looking at mature students for our spring/summer and fall openings. We specialize in unique sterling silver and stone jewelry and feature over 30 local artists in our shop, representing many mediums. Please email resumes to beinduck@aol.com or come visit our shop in person at 1216 Duck Road. We are open seven days a week. Best Western Ocean Reef Suites in Kill Devil Hills is hiring for the following positions: Breakfast Attendant, Housekeeping, Houseman, Front Desk and Maintenance Tech. Please apply in person at the Best Western Ocean Reef Suites, 107 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Kill Devil Hills.

Jersey Mike’s Subs in both Nags Head and Southern Shores are currently hiring for full- and part-time positions! Come join a fun team and make fresh food to order. Year-round positions available, opportunity for growth and VERY competitive pay! Please contact Devin at 252-441-1956 or come by our Nags Head location at 2424 S. Croatan Highway and ﬁll out an application. No experience necessary, just an awesome attitude!

Life’s A Beach is a Lilly Pulitzer Signature Store, specializing in high-end women’s clothing and accessories. We provide excellent training opportunities in customer service, retail computer skills, and marketing techniques. Parttime and full-time employment is available for spring and summer. Salary is based on experience with a pay raise as responsibilities increase. Call 252261-6569 or stop in the store. We are located in the Waterfront Shops, 1240 Duck Rd. in Duck.

Konneckt IT with Science and Technology is looking for a high school or college-bound student who would like to make some extra income this summer while learning how to work with school-age children in an educational Enrichment Camp. STEAM is about Science Technology Engineering Art and Math. To be considered, applicants must enjoy working with LEGO® Bricks, technology and kids. Training is provided as an assistant to the teacher. To qualify you must be a self-starter, be able to be on time, and have an excellent work ethic. You may need to get a background check with KDH Parks and Rec. The availability date is June 11 to June 15, 40 hours and lunch with the campers. Pay will be $9.50 an hour ($380 for the week). Email a school reference (teacher) and your resume. This may lead to more work in future weeks as camps ﬁll up for the summer. You will receive a letter of recommendation and if you need community volunteer hours, I can provide the hours with a stipend instead of pay. Visit KonnecktIT.com to see our classes and camps. Questions? Contact Robin at Konnecktit@gmail.com.

Lowe’s Customer Service Associate – Cashier and Sales Floor: The primary function of the Customer Service Associate (CSA) is to assist customers with all of their shopping needs. This includes assisting customers in the selection, demonstration, preparation and loading of merchandise. The CSA is required to respond to customer inquiries and support them throughout their shopping experience. Apply at jobs.lowes.com. Ocean Atlantic Rentals seeks a Rental Associate. Tasks include greeting and assisting our customers by answering questions about price, proper equipment usage, delivery schedules, and general knowledge of the area. The associate will operate computers to process rental transactions, use fax machine and telephone, assist in the loading or unloading of customer vehicles and OAR trucks. The ability to lift 50-100 pounds often, clean and maintain rental equipment and the shop are required. Candidates must possess excellent communication, organization and problem-solving skills. Contact Trevor Buchert at trevor@oceanatlanticrentals.com or 252-261-4346. Ocean Atlantic Rentals seeks a Village Beach Club Service Attendant. Spend your days on the beach helping Village of Nags Head guests get their beach umbrellas and chairs set up. A perfect summer job for beach lovers. Starts Memorial Day weekend and runs through Labor Day. Tasks include: using hand-held credit card processor to run transactions for equipment rentals, setting up beach umbrellas and chairs. Call 252-441-7823 for info.

The Outer Banks Family YMCA is currently hiring lifeguards starting at $10 an hour for the summer 2018 season (small opportunity to work part-time year round as well)! The YMCA is the nation’s leading non-proﬁt organization and aims to provide a family-friendly environment to everyone that walks through our doors. Potential lifeguards need to be able to tread water for two minutes with/without using their hands and be able to swim at least 300 meters. Contact Michael Skeath, Aquatics Director, at 252-449-8897 or mskeath@ymcashr.org.

Outer Banks Relief Foundation seeks a social media and PR intern. Populate our social media: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Write press releases, update our website in Wordpress, interview clients to help us generate content to tell our story. 8 hours per week. Stipend of $500 per quarter (beginning summer 2018 June – Aug), summer internship or longer if you’d like to work during school year. The mission of the Outer Banks Relief Foundation is to provide assistance to people who live and work on the Outer Banks and have financial difficulties due to illness, disease or tragedy. Contact Patty McKenna at patty@outerbanksrelieffoundation.com or 252.261.2004. Work Hard, Play Hard, Learn and Earn: The Outer Banks offers so much for those that want to pursue an opportunity in our vibrant restaurant scene. So whether you are looking for your next career step, or just a summer job from school, part-time, full-time, seasonal, or year round, you can probably find it here at one of our 100 plus member businesses. For a complete listing visit https:// www.obxtasteofthebeach.com/jobs/.

Seaside Vacations is searching for energetic team players for a number of different positions to help ﬁll our seasonal needs. Seaside is a vacation rental company with roughly 385 properties and growing. We are actively searching for candidates for the following positions: Cleaners, Property Caretakers, Marketing Intern, Filter Technician, Maintenance Coordinator, Maintenance Runner and Housekeeping Field Supervisors. More info on these jobs can be found at https://www. outerbanksvacations.com/careers or by calling 252-261-5500. Ships Watch seeks a paid Summer Intern. Job includes but not limited to: Running activities with the children (crabbing, ﬁshing, tie-dye and arts & crafts), helping out in laundry and maintenance when needed, maintaining pool area, assisting guests with their bags, setup/clean-up of Saturday cookout. Contact Taramarie Luzio at TLuzio@shipswatch.com or 252-2612231. summer / / 2018

Senior Alex Prior jumps into the arms of sophomore goalie Jake Pendergrass after a victory against Jacksonville. The lacrosse team advanced to the second round of the playoffs this year for the first time in school history. Photo by Madison Murry/Shorelines Yearbook

Lax bros make school history with playoff win By Simone Midgett Staff Writer

D it.

etermination: having a goal set in your mind that you won’t give up on until you’ve achieved

On Friday, May 4, the men’s lacrosse team made school history by winning a hard-fought game against Topsail High School in the first round of the NCHSAA 1A/2A/3A state playoffs. Senior co-captain Alex Prior has been playing lacrosse for six years. He has seen the team work toward this goal of winning a playoff game since freshman year. “It was unreal because my freshman year, we only won three games, so to win our first playoff game was pretty crazy,” Prior explained. Going into the playoffs this year, one of the Nighthawks’ starting attackmen, junior Sam Fitzgerald, was not able to play due to an injury. Despite being short-handed, the team knew it had to go into the playoffs with the right mentality and a game plan. “We knew they were going to be good and we knew our offense was going to be a little more limited than usual, so we knew we had to play really good defense and score effectively from multiple different positions,” senior Tyler Love said. “I think we definitely

executed our game plan.” This was senior Matthew Gray’s first year playing lacrosse, and he was grateful that his first and only season was such an eventful one for the Nighthawks. “I feel like we just competed as a team and had a strong mindset. We had a common goal to get through that first round of playoffs,” Gray said. The men’s lacrosse team ended this season with a record of 11-6, having one of their best seasons yet. “I feel like this year we had a tighter bond as a team. I know there were times in years prior (where) the chemistry around the room wasn’t as close as it was this year,” Love said. “Some of these people I have been playing with for nine years.” Unfortunately, the season came to an end after a hard fought game against talented New Hanover High School in the second round of the playoffs. As their season came to a close, the seniors were hit with the realization that this was the last time they would play lacrosse for the Nighthawks, but they will never forget the feeling of making school history. “Judging by the fact I cried, it was amazing and I mean it was something that we as a team have been working towards for four years now and I’m sure teams prior

Nighthawk News Magazine / / senior celebration – sports

had been, too,” Love said. ”It was just awesome to be the first ones to win a playoff game.”

Sophomore Simone Midgett can be reached at midgettsa0827@ daretolearn.org.

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First Flight Spring Spotlight: A Q&A

Isabell Eckard Senior

How long have you been playing softball? Six years. What are you going to miss the most? Playing together as a team. Anything except for hitting – I hate hitting. What’s your favorite softball memory? When I face-planted during a game trying to catch a ball. What is your favorite thing to do before a game? Go get something to eat with my teammates. What is your dream job and why? My dream job is making prosthetics for veterans hospitals because I think that the health care system does not represent veterans well enough. What’s a fun fact about yourself? One time I sat in fire ants with shorts on. If you became a millionaire, what would you buy? I would probably buy an aquarium with sharks. What is your biggest pet peeve? My biggest pet peeve is people tapping their pencils. What’s your favorite TV show? My favorite TV show would definitely be “The Office.” What is a lifelong dream of yours? A lifelong dream of mine is to work at NASA.

Casey Bouker Senior

Jordan Mull Senior

How long have you been playing soccer? Since I was younger, elementary school at Rec and stuff.

How long have you been playing golf? Six years. I started in seventh grade.

What player do you look up to the most and why? Brayleigh, because she tries really hard at every practice.

What are you going to miss the most? The competitiveness. It’s a lot different than just playing on your own. It’s more fun because you are competing against other people and you have a goal.

What are you going to miss the most? I’m deﬁnitely gonna miss playing games in front of everyone. I’ve grown up with the girls that I play with right now, so ﬁnally getting to play with them this year, that’s probably what I’m going to miss the most. What’s your favorite part about playing soccer? I like the physical activity that I get when playing. It’s a nice workout. If you could be any animal, what would you be? A horse. I love horses. What’s your biggest pet peeve? When people splash me in the ocean – when I get in the water and I’m not under the water and they splash me. What’s a lifelong dream of yours? To be successful. If you became a millionaire, what would you buy? I would save it so I could buy whatever I want when I want. What’s a fun fact about yourself? I’m a really good singer when I’m singing in the car, and I can fall asleep anywhere.

What’s your favorite part about playing? Just being out there having fun. Golf is a pretty chill sport, but it has its competitive moments and you can make it as fun as you want it to be. What is your dream job and why? Something in construction, because I enjoy building things. It’s fun to see a project go from start to ﬁnish. If you could have dinner with any three people, who would it be? Derek Jeter, Tiger Woods and Donald Trump. What is your biggest pet peeve? Quitting – people that give up too early when they still have a chance of succeeding. What is a lifelong dream of yours? To go professionally in a sport, any sport. What’s your favorite TV show? “Blue Bloods.” If you could be any animal, what would it be? Mountain Lion, I just think they’re sick – they’re strong and fast.

Ronnie Sunkler Senior

What event do you do in track? I throw shot put and discus. What are you going to miss the most? Probably the routine of having practice and seeing everyone, and then going to meets and seeing people from other schools. What’s your favorite part about track? Going out there and trying my best, with the hope of possibly scoring for my team. What is your dream job? A biochemist. If you became a millionaire what would you buy? I would buy my dream car, which is a Mercedes 6x6 G class. If you could have dinner with any three people, who would it be? Barack Obama, Tommy Chong and Winston Churchill. I feel like it would be interesting. What is your biggest pet peeve? People who talk really loudly. What’s your favorite TV show? “Rick and Morty.” It’s fun to watch and messes with your brain. What is a lifelong dream of yours? Not getting stuck on this beach. What is a fun fact about yourself? I collect art.

summer / / 2018

with Nighthawk student-athletes

Alex Rodman Senior

How long have you been running? I joined track and field on a whim in seventh grade and have been running ever since. What are you going to miss most? I’ll miss the people the most. This sport has introduced me to some of my best friends, and everyone on the team makes me laugh. Favorite post-race snack? For sure, ice cream or a milkshake. I love basically all flavors besides mint chocolate chip. What’s a fun fact about yourself? I can recite the ABCs backwards. What’s your favorite TV show? I feel like I can’t choose just one. I love “White Collar,” “Gossip Girl,” “The Carrie Diaries,” “Dexter” and so many more. What is your favorite holiday? Definitely the Fourth of July. It’s in the prime of summer, everyone is happy and it’s also my birthday, which is an added bonus. What is a lifelong dream of yours? I’ve always wanted to learn to play the piano. I just love the way it sounds. I’ve convinced myself that I absolutely have to take a class while in college next year.

Sloan Tomblin Senior

How long have you been playing lacrosse? Since ﬁfth grade. What is your favorite memory from lacrosse? Probably Senior Night, actually, going out there with my family and just being recognized which I feel like I haven’t before, so getting the recognition. What is your favorite part about playing lacrosse? When you implement stuff from practice and then you put it on the ﬁeld and you just see how it really works. What song do you listen to before a game? Fergalicious by Fergie. What’s your biggest pet peeve? I hate when people crack their knuckles. What genre of music do you listen to? Alternative or alternative rock. What’s your dream job and why? Probably just something like business or sales because I’ve been working at Kitty Hawk Kites for four years so I really like what I do there. If you could be any animal what would you be? A dog, because they’re so cute and people treat them really well, most of the time.

Liam Stuart Senior

How long have you been playing lacrosse? Since ﬁfth grade, so nine years. What will you miss most about this season? The bond that we have and the friendships that I’ve made. What’s your favorite part about lacrosse? Bus rides after a win together. They’re usually pretty hype. If you could meet any player, who would it be and why? Paul Rabil, he’s like, the best lacrosse player to ever play the game. What’s your favorite holiday? Flag Day. If you could have dinner with any three people, who would they be? Aunt Susie, Dr. Flo and Kid Cudi. If you could be any animal, what would you be? A tapir, because when I went to the zoo I saw a sign that said they could pee really far. What’s your favorite beach access? It’s gotta be Hillcrest. What’s your dream job? Deﬁnitely a National Geographic photographer.

Brodey Sams Senior

How long have you been playing baseball? About 10 years now. How did you get started playing baseball? I looked up to my brother whenever he played and I just wanted to play then. What are you going to miss the most about the sport? Deﬁnitely my teammates and messing around with them. What’s your favorite thing to do before a game? Deﬁnitely eat at Jersey Mike’s. What’s your biggest pet peeve? I don’t really have one, to be honest. What’s a lifelong dream of yours? I guess just to live on a beach my whole life. Not this beach, but in California for sure. What’s your favorite beach access and why? Bonnett Street because I have many friends there. What’s a fun fact about yourself? I don’t really have any fun facts about me. I’m a pretty boring person, to be honest. What’s your favorite TV show? “Hell’s Kitchen” or “Kitchen Nightmares,” anything with Gordon Ramsay.

Photos by Aaron Jennings, Ben Tran, Madison Murry, Hayley Miller, Michaela Kelly and Buzzy Staten. Reporting by Courtney Tillett, Kristen Applebaum, Simone Midgett, Beverly Murry, Meghan Savona, Cassidy O’Neil, Arabella Saunders and Grace Sullivan. NIGHTHAWK News Magazine / / senior celebration – sports

Make A Great Escape This Summer!

Featuring two all-new experiences!

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summer / / 2018